About Me (In My Own Words)
I have had a heart murmur since I was a child. My primary care doctor noticed a change in 2018 and sent me to a cardiologist who diagnosed moderate - severe aortic regurgitation. After watching me for six months he sent me off to surgeons. Of course, they wanted to replace the valve and said I would need to do so in the next six months.
After interviewing many wonderful surgeons, I found a cardiologist who had read many studies and offered another solution to use medicine - blood pressure med/calcium channel blocker to hold the line and see if we maintained a stable state with no changes in heart structure. Fast forward almost four years later, I am just being told that the time is nearer for replacing the valve.
Unfortunately, my beloved cardiologist retired and I switched practices. Working now on figuring out if they are seeing the same thing and interpreting it differently or if there is a worsening of the condition. Grateful for this resource and for all of your stories.
Ended up having some high blood pressure so given medication for blood pressure and a calcium channel blocker to help heart muscle. Been in watch and see mode with echos every 6 months. After my echo in February 2024 was told by my local cardiologist that I needed to see a surgeon because my heart was enlarged.
My daughter is a physician at NYU Langone in NY so I went to there for diagnostics - CT scan, Stress Test with Echo and MRI. While heart is enlarged, I still am not showing symptoms. The Ross Procedure was suggested for the first time. I am 62 years old. Interested in learning more about outcomes in older patients.
I now have Regurgitation and Stenosis so the guidelines are not as clear cut as just one or the other. I am trying to plan for the long-term because I want there to be a long-term. I realize that I will need at least two surgeries as I do not want a mechanical valve.
Stay tuned....
Just had my second MRI - first one last year with contrast. Just learned today that I have a Bicuspid Valve. Wasn't visible in all the previous echo's and the last MRI due to the ridge where leaflets are fused. Bicuspid Sievers type 1 N-L. Certainly answers my questions about where this regurgitation came from.
Follow up appointments this week with cardiologist. Regurgitation isn't worse, but the stenosis seems to be becoming more of an issue.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Mount Kisco, New York
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
