Michael's Profile

I am a 64 year old married white male. Dx with mitral valve regurgitation. In preparation for mitral valve repair several coronary artery blockages were observed. Therefore I get a two-fer. Triple bi-pass and mitral valve repair. Several years ago I experienced an industrial accident. This required several surgeries on my thumb. Asa result of this situation I contracted MCSA which went undiagnosed for several years. The consensus of my physicians is that the Mitral Valve damage (prolapse). Over the years, I have been informed that I had a heart murmur but that is not unusual for a man my age. My new PCP heard the murmur and referred me to a cardiologist. He finally dx the prolapse and referred me to a surgeon. In preparation for the surgery, the blockages were discovered. In my case the blockages are due to eating a south Louisiana diet. We love our fried food. Right now I am very frightened but do recognize that without the prolapse the blockages probably would not have been diagnosed until I had the heart. I won't say that I'm lucky. I hate it when someone says that I am lucky it could have been worse. If I was lucky whatever it is that happened. I do feel that I am lucky to have some excellent physicians. They all treat me like an adult and even though they are from two different hospital the communications is excellent. I feel confident in my cardiac team but am still scared to death.