About Me (In My Own Words)
Diagnosed with Mitral Valve Regurgitation in 2013. Have been going to cardiologist every six months for various tests: ekg, echocardiogram, stress ekg, stress echo. nuclear etc. Completely asymptomatic, my condition has been considered mild with no need for any type of medical/surgical intervention. Test in August 2020 showed a slight increase in degree of regurgitation but still was categorized as mild. At the next doctor's visit in February 2021, I found that my cardiologist had retired and I met a new doctor. The test results showed a significant deterioration in the mitral valve and now was considered serious with surgical intervention likely even though I remained asymptomatic.
Very surprised and concerned I started a crash course on mitral valve disease and treatment. After reviewing multiple sites I found "heartvalvesurgery.com" and I am so glad I did. My wife and I spent hours on the site learning everything we could. Based on this information, I scheduled a "second opinion" with a cardiologist, and another with a surgeon. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that one of the surgeon's listed with heart valve surgery.com was at a medical center within 30 minute drive of our home and was the surgeon that my cardiologist would recommend! At the same time I found a second surgeon at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and made an appointment with him. My cardiologist then scheduled a TEE and catherization procedure, allowing a more accurate evaluation of my mitral valve regurgitation. The result was minimum or no problems from the catherization; significant finding of very severe mitral valve regurgitation with recommendation of minimally invasive open heart surgery to repair the mitral valve. This recommendation followed the more recent mitral valve treatment recommendations of treating severe regurgitation despite being asymptomatic. Each of the cardiologists and surgeons agreed that my condition warranted a surgical intervention. Surgery is now scheduled for April 28 by Dr. Massimiano at Adventist Medical Center, White Oak, Maryland.
In the two weeks prior to the February cardiologist appointment I rode my bicycle more than 120 miles without any fatigue, shortness of breath, or chest pain symptoms. So it is easy to understand how surprised I was to learn that the mitral valve regurgitation was now severe and surgery recommended. Thanks to heart valve surgery.com I had the information I needed to make this decision despite being asymptomatic, with the added confidence that my surgeon is listed as an expert in the field by heart valve surgery.com!! I am very anxious and nervous about this surgery but feel confident it is the right decision. Thanks heart valve surgery.com and Adam Pick (and all the patients, doctors, etc.) that provide such important information. Will update you post-op!
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Lanham, MD 20706
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My surgery date is:
April 28, 2021
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I was diagnosed with:
Mitral Regurgitation
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My surgery was:
Mitral Valve Repair
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Dr,Paul Massimiano