About Me (In My Own Words)
We are aiming for Aortic Valve Repair but we got to always have plan B if repair cannot be made, and I chose ROSS PROCEDURE for a back up plan.
It just started with high blood pressure and weird palpitations...
Last year around july 2025, when I got back from 1 month vacation I went straight to work. Im a healthcare worker, working night shifts on 2 major hospitals in Los Angeles area.
I thought I was just tired working back to back on both hospitals. Blood pressure shoots up 215/120 when I was at work so I was sent to ED. Test done,ekg,bloodworks, troponin negative.. I ask for CT but the dr dismissed it,said all test looks good and should follow up with my PCP the following day.
I was seen by my PCP, done another sets of lab works. Came back all high, she just increase my hypertensive medications and add statin now. I made some changes to my diet so a1c went down.
Fastforward, after a month or two, even with all the medications palpotations was so weird, BP already stabilize. I ask my PCP if theres a need for me to see a cardiologist since I can feel that something is wrong in my system. She said, nah, theres no need labworks all good,trending down. Maybe im just overthinking. Recommend for me to see a psychiatrist! Oh well, with no hesitations, I just advocate for my own and book an appt to a cardiologist!
To make this story short, cardiologist ordered the test that both drs didnt orderes I ask and beg her to check.everything sincè the palpitayi9ns I am feeling is so weird. It will wake me up in the middle of my sleep with 3 stabs, then I felt like I run a mile already even I just woke up.
She ordered, kidney UTZ, and echo..
And then boom! They saw something on my echo.. Dec of last year, I was diagnosed with SEVERE aortic regurgitation.. she said she wants to make sire how bad it is so she did TEE for me then from there they seen that I also have a Bicuspid Aoetic Valve which is congenital.
Wow! I WAS IN SHOCKED! For 39 years of my life I am so.active during my elem, highschool,college days untul.i got married and have kids. But never would I thought that I have this. 😪😭
From there, I already search for a cardio-thoracic surgeon that specializes with Aortic Valve. And here I am on my waiting game. I just turned 40yo. I noticed Symptoms becomes more frequent. With chest pressure and sometimes shortness of breath. 2 episode of fainting last month at work so I decided to be on disability while waiting for the big day.
I Found this support group on FB and it helps a lot. My anxiety is somewhat bearable I can say. Reading comments and succesful stories lessen my fear.
My piece of advice, if you feel something is wrong always listen to your body. The fatigue while waking up, the little shortness of breath while walking or going up the stairs, the weird palpitations they are not normal. Always advocate for your own health.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Torrance, California
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My surgery date is:
May 22, 2026
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Regurgitation
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Repair
Ross Procedure
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