Karen's Profile

My name is Karen and I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve. At about 42 I noticed some slight symptoms, shortness of breath, faintness, palpitations. I was referred to a cardiologist and after a barrage of tests was told to check back in 5 years. At 45 I noticed the symptoms were worse so, back to the cardiologist again for tests, was given a beta blocker to slow my heart rate and told not to worry. At 49 the symptoms had become so severe I could not make it up the basement steps with a basket of laundry without gasping for air, was lightheaded all the time, had chest pain and my heart would "race" at night just after laying down to go to sleep. I had no clue why at first but thought I had better make another appointment with the cardiologist. I went to see a different cardiologist highly recommended by friends and co-workers. Dr. Roth assured me at our consultation that he would get to the bottom of my symptoms and scheduled me for a stress echo cardiogram the day before Thanksgiving. I had the stress echo and could barely finish. Dr. Roth explained that it was time to think about replacing the defective aortic valve. I was in shock... and so the story begins. I asked Dr. Roth if anyone was doing minimally invasive or robotic surgery here in Milwaukee, I was horribly scared of the sternal wound and possible complications. He referred me to Dr. Husam Balkhy, said he would be contacting me soon. I received a call from Dr. Balkhy's office the following week and had an appointment for a consultation the week after. In the meantime I read everything I could get my hands on about aortic valve replacement, and to my dismay found mostly stories of middle aged men and women in their 80's! At my consultation my mind was put at ease, and I started the process of scheduling and testing for my port access minimally invasive aortic valve replacement surgery.