About Me (In My Own Words)
Yikes!!! On Apr 12, 2012 I was diagnosed with severe mitral valve regurgitation. What’s that?!!! On Apr 2, I had gone on a 3-mile walk/run and noticed I couldn’t take deep breaths. So on Apr 10, I went to my Kaiser doctor who took an EKG. Then on Apr 11, I got a transthoracic echocardiogram and on Apr 12 my doctor called me with the results. Since then, I’ve visited the cardiologist (Apr 16), gotten a running stress test (Apr 26), and a transesophageal echocardiogram or TEE (May 29).
I bought Adam Pick’s book on heart valve surgery and got my self fully educated on my condition and on my options.
I’ve been fairly active since 2009. My wife and I would train hard for about 6-7 months of the year to run races culminating in a half marathon every Oct. This is why I started running on Apr 2 (starting a new training cycle).
I’ve lost 45 lbs since 2003 with most of my weight loss occurring since 2009. I used to have high cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL. I also had a high-normal 12-hour fasting sugar level. Today I only have the high-normal sugar level. So I’m prediabetic, but I’m trying to change this through diet. Not too bad for a 48-year old!!!
So until I was diagnosed, I didn’t know I had mitral valve prolapse. Before my diagnosis, only my younger brother had a heart murmur. After my diagnosis, I found out my other younger brother has mitral valve prolapse with mild to moderate regurgitation. I also found out my Mom also has mitral valve prolapse. Needless to say my family is very interested in my condition and what I’ll be doing! We are also much more open about our medical conditions.
My purpose in updating my journal is to offer any information to others who are going through their journey. I’ve gotten so much from reading other journals and by clicking on the links on the webpage.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Roseville, California