Mark's Profile

Four years ago I had just moved into a new area and my hay fever and asthma went out of control for the first time in ten years. I tried everything to get it under control and was popping actifed and primatene mist like crazy. One day my heart started racing and I could not get it to slow down. I ended up in the emergency room and had to get a little shock to get it back into rhythm. In follow up with the cardiologist, they did ekg, echo, etc. After a couple "No Problem Founds" I got word that my aorta was close to 5cm at the root. Needless to say this came as a shock as I was 38 years old, very physically fit and had no other symptoms. Cause for the condition is only speculation and no one was willing to venture a guess beyond a bad car accident or some other strange occurrence. I continued to follow up every year with word that it was not changing until my cardiologist couldnt answer the two loaded questions I asked him. Turns out he didnt know the answer. So I went for a second opinion and found out that it was getting worse. Review of the case with the local surgeon indicated that a valve sparing aortic root replacement would be the best option. I was referred to another surgeon who is experienced in the "David Procedure". My surgery is scheduled for August 8.