Terry's Profile

I am 55 and have a history of CHD in my family. I had a stent in 2006 while I was running quite a bit (stopped the long distance stuff at that time). I have been going to my current cardiologist for the past few years and he has monitored a heart murmur. In September, he said I should begin to think about AVR and that I have a bicuspid AV. This caught me and my wife by surprise! The doctor discussed symptoms and I realize I have had dizziness and have had a few episodes of shortness of breath when doing high heart rate activities. I had my annual ekg and he called me and my wife in the next day and said we needed to find a surgeon. I am scheduled for my heart cath next week and then surgery after Thanksgiving. I am still active, walking the dog about 3.5 miles every day except Sunday. I have noticed I am much more fatigued just recently, but no shortness of breath. I am now taking my last few business trips before the surgery. I am more than a bit intimidated by the coming surgery but ready to get it done! My wife is a saint and will bear the burden of looking after me for a while, for which I am very thankful.