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Molly Iversgot a new guestbook post
4 hours ago
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Fay Kozas writes, "Hi Molly, I understand your anxiety and your concern. Don't worry about "pump head". Years ago the filters were not as developed as they are today. We are talking about "cutting-... Read more
Fay Kozas writes, "Hi Molly, I understand your anxiety and your concern. Don't worry about "pump head". Years ago the filters were not as developed as they are today. We are talking about "cutting-edge" technology. And, yes, you will be stronger after your surgery. I agree with you there--get lots of hugs, give lots of hugs and sing at the top of your lungs. Let me warn you--after the surgery, you will be belting out tunes even louder than before! :) Try and relax....soon you will be on the road to recovery. "
Meet Dr. Irving Kron
Charlottesville, VA
Sponsored
Meet Dr. Irving Kron

Charlottesville, VA - Sponsored

Hello! My name is Dr. Irving Kron and I am a cardiac surgeon having graduated from Medical College of Wisconsin in 1975. To date, I have performed approximately 11,000 cardiac surgeries, of which 5,000 involved heart valve procedures. I regularly perform surgery at University of Virginia Medical Center. Read more...

I believe my greatest strength is my deep understanding of how a heart valve functions.

I also believe my extensive experience in researching and repairing mitral valves is a tremendous benefits to the patients I help.

Upcoming Patient Surgeries


Heather Brown
Mitral Regurgitation
October 22, 2018

Kevin Woodard
Mitral Regurgitation
October 23, 2018

Janice West
Aortic Stenosis
October 24, 2018
Molly Iversposted an update
4 hours ago
Like  | 
The day is nearing and I am finding a place of peace within myself. During the next few days I am going to try and get as many hugs as possible and sing as much as I like since ... Read more
The day is nearing and I am finding a place of peace within myself. During the next few days I am going to try and get as many hugs as possible and sing as much as I like since those two things might be a bit painful for a few weeks.

At this point "head pump" is my biggest concern. See, my mom died when she was 85, but until the end she was sharp as a tack - it's just something that runs in my family and I would miss being fast on my feet when it came to thinking.

Years ago, when I started having major panic attacks I "changed" and I always miss the way I was. It took me years of fighting with docs over my meds to get back to something that felt like "normal." When I found out I had this heart valve thing I thought - oh, maybe that's the missing piece of the puzzle...maybe after I recover I will really feel like myself again. Then this "head pump" thing comes along and gives me pause. But I am optimistic that the surgery will, in the long run, increase my energy and I will not have any residual "head pump" so I will get closer to the person I was before all the anxiety.
Meet Dr. Irving Kron
Charlottesville, VA
Sponsored
Meet Dr. Irving Kron

Charlottesville, VA - Sponsored

Hello! My name is Dr. Irving Kron and I am a cardiac surgeon having graduated from Medical College of Wisconsin in 1975. To date, I have performed approximately 11,000 cardiac surgeries, of which 5,000 involved heart valve procedures. I regularly perform surgery at University of Virginia Medical Center. Read more...

I believe my greatest strength is my deep understanding of how a heart valve functions.

I also believe my extensive experience in researching and repairing mitral valves is a tremendous benefits to the patients I help.

Molly Iversposted an update
4 hours ago
Like  | 
The day is nearing and I am finding a place of peace within myself. During the next few days I am going to try and get as many hugs as possible and sing as much as I like since ... Read more
The day is nearing and I am finding a place of peace within myself. During the next few days I am going to try and get as many hugs as possible and sing as much as I like since those two things might be a bit painful for a few weeks.

At this point "head pump" is my biggest concern. See, my mom died when she was 85, but until the end she was sharp as a tack - it's just something that runs in my family and I would miss being fast on my feet when it came to thinking.

Years ago, when I started having major panic attacks I "changed" and I always miss the way I was. It took me years of fighting with docs over my meds to get back to something that felt like "normal." When I found out I had this heart valve thing I thought - oh, maybe that's the missing piece of the puzzle...maybe after I recover I will really feel like myself again. Then this "head pump" thing comes along and gives me pause. But I am optimistic that the surgery will, in the long run, increase my energy and I will not have any residual "head pump" so I will get closer to the person I was before all the anxiety.
Charles Hameljust updated his profile
6 hours ago
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Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

LINDA ROBERTSgot a new guestbook post
6 hours ago
Like  |  1 person likes this
Catie B writes, "Hi Linda, I saw your post about low heart rate on Metoprolol. Absolutely, it could be the med. They had to take my dose down to the lowest amount--my HR also dropped very low on it... Read more
Catie B writes, "Hi Linda, I saw your post about low heart rate on Metoprolol. Absolutely, it could be the med. They had to take my dose down to the lowest amount--my HR also dropped very low on it. I always felt a little iffy about anything below 50. Let your cardiologist know, if it camps out in the lowest range--they might want to tweak things."
LINDA ROBERTS  Thanks, Catie. I presently take 25mg. of metoprolol once a day and see my cardiologist around the second week of November so will mention this to him. Hoping ... Read more
LINDA ROBERTS  Thanks, Catie. I presently take 25mg. of metoprolol once a day and see my cardiologist around the second week of November so will mention this to him. Hoping I will get to go off amiodarone and warafin at three months post aorta valve surgery but we will see.
Catie B  That appointment isn't very far off now. I hope you'll get an excellent report. It was right around three months after my surgery when I was able to come off ... Read more
Catie B  That appointment isn't very far off now. I hope you'll get an excellent report. It was right around three months after my surgery when I was able to come off Amiodarone and warfarin-- and I know it will be a relief, if he says you can stop them. :)
Dan Baltazorposted a photo
7 hours ago
Like  |  Jennifer John, Susan Lynn, Mark Wilbur likes this

Put something on your calendar besides💉, This is a bucket list item. Celebrate Life!   See my other pictures.

LINDA ROBERTS  Great picture!
Terry Goin  Yall make a very handsome couple 👫.
Terry Goin  I think it is a big day for yall tomorrow. I hope everything goes well.
Dan Baltazor  Thanks Terry. This was a Great diversion.
Glenn Murdockjust updated his profile
7 hours ago
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Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Rob Sparlingjust updated his profile
10 hours ago
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Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Bradley Dunnposted an update
13 hours ago
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Thankful!

Dan Baltazorgot a new guestbook post
13 hours ago
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Fay Kozas writes, "Hi Dan, let us know when you get your surgery date. Just think, if you have surgery before Thanksgiving, you will have something more to be thankful for. If you have the surgery ... Read more
Fay Kozas writes, "Hi Dan, let us know when you get your surgery date. Just think, if you have surgery before Thanksgiving, you will have something more to be thankful for. If you have the surgery around the holidays, it will be a gift to you! Either way, it's a win-win situation! You will be in my prayers. "
Dan Baltazor  Fay, You are just the sweetest and the biggest encourager to everyone on here! Thanks for that perspective. Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!
MARIE PICUN  Your in my prayers as well. May God have his hand on you.
Dan Baltazor  Thank you Marie!!
Jennifer McInerney  Wishing you all the best Dan. God Bless!
Heather Browngot a new guestbook post
13 hours ago
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Fay Kozas writes, "Hi Heather, good luck tomorrow! Don't worry. It will be over before you know it. You will be in my thoughts and prayers."
LINDA ROBERTS  Wishing you a successful surgery! Soon you will be on the road to recovery.
Rich Hahnjust updated his profile
17 hours ago
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Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Meredith Genejaposted a photo
20 hours ago
Like  |  Bradley Dunn, Rob Sparling likes this

1st meeting with Cardiologist post-op this Monday @ 3:30. Writing out questions & concerns at this 3rd-week point in time. Still not driving, so have had my practice walk to his office:) Looking forward to this meeting. It will be targeted & brief.   See my other pictures.

Marie Myers  Hope you get a clean bill of health!
Meredith Geneja  Thank you, Marie Myers! Positive to be seeing a Dr. & getting some feedback at this point. I will sure appreciate getting some answers to my questions. Some ... Read more
Meredith Geneja  Thank you, Marie Myers! Positive to be seeing a Dr. & getting some feedback at this point. I will sure appreciate getting some answers to my questions. Some days it feels like we're all in a bumper car race:) Love hearing from others further down the road.
Christopher Kinnairdposted a journal
1 day ago
Like  | 
Trying to sleep but having trouble
Is it normal to feel like your heart is beating out of your chest after Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery? I’m 3 weeks post op. Feeling great but when I try to go to sleep I can... Read more
Is it normal to feel like your heart is beating out of your chest after Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery? I’m 3 weeks post op. Feeling great but when I try to go to sleep I can feel my heart beating like it’s moving my entire upper body! My heart isn’t hgh! Averages around 80.
Nancy Luth  Wow. Mine is doing that very thing tonight. Very disconcerting!
Rita Savelis  Yeah. This is normal. It takes time to get used to. Some hearts do it more than others.
MARIE PICUN  I am also having that. I went to the search put aortic tissue heart pounding. There wasy answer
Marie Myers  Yup. I found that my heartbeat is much more prominent and noticeable since AVR. Part of it may be due to a better output per beat, and part of it is that we ... Read more
Marie Myers  Yup. I found that my heartbeat is much more prominent and noticeable since AVR. Part of it may be due to a better output per beat, and part of it is that we loose the muffling/insulation that was provided by the pericardium.
Bradley Dunn  Happens to me when I yawn.
Jennifer McInerney  I’m noticing that too. It’s the “normal” heartbeat that I’m getting used to. I haven’t had one for years but it is a little disconcerting
Catie B  Mine beat very hard and seemed to rock my chest for many weeks. Very prominent and I was most aware of it at night. It calmed down in time. :)
Rob Sparling  I am three weeks past surgery and I’ve noticed it a few times when laying down with head on pillow. Otherwise, no. Do you have a blood pressure cuff at ... Read more
Rob Sparling  I am three weeks past surgery and I’ve noticed it a few times when laying down with head on pillow. Otherwise, no. Do you have a blood pressure cuff at home? It might put you at ease if you start using one to get your new “normal” and then check it when you feel the pounding. Maybe you will see no difference? Or, if not, you will be able to quantify the difference.
LINDA ROBERTS  My heart rate seems low and could be due to the Metropol. It ranges from high 40's to 60's.
Hope that will not be an issue.
Ricky Stutts  This is why I love this site. Starting to get accustomed to it or it is starting to calm down a little.
Christopher Kinnaird  Thanks for all the comments! Sounds like I’m in the majority! I check my blood pressure every day 2-3 times. It’s always about the same 110/64. Heart ... Read more
Christopher Kinnaird  Thanks for all the comments! Sounds like I’m in the majority! I check my blood pressure every day 2-3 times. It’s always about the same 110/64. Heart rate ranges from 70-88 at rest. I actually feel great other when I try to sleep I feel my heart pumping. I was thinking the same thing about the valve being new and better blood flow going throughout my heart! I appreciate all the feed back everyone!
Christopher Kinnairdposted an update
1 day ago
Like  | 
Start Cardiac Rehab on Monday 10/23/2018. Have had some Nausea and not that great of an appetite, although for some reason I have been craving fruit! Mostly Watermelon and ... Read more
Start Cardiac Rehab on Monday 10/23/2018. Have had some Nausea and not that great of an appetite, although for some reason I have been craving fruit! Mostly Watermelon and Pineapple! Hope the nausea goes away soon.
Marie Myers  If you are still on narcotic pain Meds, inausea may be due to that. Also, my doc had me on an acid blocker (famotidine) for a month or so. Some people can get ... Read more
Marie Myers  If you are still on narcotic pain Meds, inausea may be due to that. Also, my doc had me on an acid blocker (famotidine) for a month or so. Some people can get gastritis from the daily baby aspirin as well as the stress of the whole surgical experience. Hope you get back to a normal appetite soon!
Jennifer McInerney  Every day is a new adventure. I am still experiencing nausea and very little appetite. I think it’s from my twice daily cocktail of various drugs
Rob Sparling  I was told to wait 6 weeks before cardiac rehab and will have eval Nov 12th. Have others been instructed they can start earlier than that?
Catie B  Rob, my cardiologist gave me a script for it at week 3, but it took about a week to get registered and on board after that.
Catie B  Christopher, I certainly fought nausea. I hope they gave you something to help dial it back! Hope you feel lots better soon.
Jennifer McInerney  I was told 6 - 8 weeks for cardiac rehab. That works for me. I’m 2.5 weeks out and I’m still shaky on my daily walks
Christopher Kinnaird  Thanks for all the feed back! I really appreciate it! I am on something for reflux and it does help! No anti nausea meds but has gotten better!
Christopher Kinnairdjust updated his profile
1 day ago
Like  | 

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Dan Baltazorgot a new guestbook post
1 day ago
Like  | 
Beth & Mark Zier writes, "Hey Dan... keeping you in our thoughts and prayers!! Our love..."
Dan Baltazor  Thank you both so much!
Thomas Sandersposted an update
1 day ago
Like  |  1 person likes this
My heart doctor diagnosed a bicuspid aortic heart valve about 6 years ago. He recommended an annual follow up to test for any changes in this valve. I have not followed his advice... Read more
My heart doctor diagnosed a bicuspid aortic heart valve about 6 years ago. He recommended an annual follow up to test for any changes in this valve. I have not followed his advice. What are the benefits of an annual heart valve evaluation?
Marie Myers  You can find out whether you have formed an ascending aneurysm on your aorta, which can kill you. These aneurysms are more common with bicuspid aortic valves. ... Read more
Marie Myers  You can find out whether you have formed an ascending aneurysm on your aorta, which can kill you. These aneurysms are more common with bicuspid aortic valves. I formed one, found out in 2016, and had surgery March 2017. Had I not had a routine echocardiogram, I would not have known, and risked a sudden death like Alan Thicke and John Ritter. Checkups are a good idea...
Rosemary Bobicz Creutz  Many people are asymptomatic and have no awareness of any changes to their heart and cardiac function. The diagnostic tests that are annually done help to ... Read more
Rosemary Bobicz Creutz  Many people are asymptomatic and have no awareness of any changes to their heart and cardiac function. The diagnostic tests that are annually done help to monitor any changes and the rate of change. These tests and rate of change are used to determine the appropriate timing for surgery if and when it becomes necessary. Without this monitoring, a valve or complication can become emergent and outcomes for emergent surgeries are less favorable.
Rob Sparling  Thomas, over the span of two years I went from a heart murmur to a severe amount of aortic regurgitation in my bicuspid valve. I was assymptomatic right up ... Read more
Rob Sparling  Thomas, over the span of two years I went from a heart murmur to a severe amount of aortic regurgitation in my bicuspid valve. I was assymptomatic right up until my aortic valve surgery.

I recommend you get a TTE (transthoracic echo) and consider if that should be a stress echo. Don’t be surprised if they then suggest a TEE (transesophogeal echo) to better see what is going on in the valve. But managing the progression over time is important and the annual checks are part of the game plan.
Steve Farthing  To live longer, live better and avoid a possibly fatal and sudden event. Also your doc might find you have nothing to worry about for the time being, see you ... Read more
Steve Farthing  To live longer, live better and avoid a possibly fatal and sudden event. Also your doc might find you have nothing to worry about for the time being, see you next year or whenever, so some peace of mind.
Bradley Dunn  Like others have said... You can get stenotic and eventually reach heart failure... Or have a disection which is often instantly fatal.
Dan Baltazor  I concur with everyone’s responses. I have gone to my annual cardiologist appointments starting in 2005. It wasn’t until this past year that I went from ... Read more
Dan Baltazor  I concur with everyone’s responses. I have gone to my annual cardiologist appointments starting in 2005. It wasn’t until this past year that I went from moderate to severe very quickly without having any symptoms. It has been apparent through tests and procedures that I am on the fast track to critical.
Catie B  I second Marie Myers' post. Found aortic aneurysm (probably caused by lifelong bicuspid valve) in 2009. Learned I should not lift heavy items or do Valsalva ... Read more
Catie B  I second Marie Myers' post. Found aortic aneurysm (probably caused by lifelong bicuspid valve) in 2009. Learned I should not lift heavy items or do Valsalva maneuver. Surgery time arrived seven years later. These are surgeries you want to do on time and not risk severe heart damage/early death.
Robert See  Greetings Thomas

Unless you have a death wish, I suggest you follow your cardiologist’s recommendation immediately. Get yourself checked out posthaste. ... Read more
Robert See  Greetings Thomas

Unless you have a death wish, I suggest you follow your cardiologist’s recommendation immediately. Get yourself checked out posthaste.

Get into regular follow ups. At the least yearly monitoring is essential (assuming your valve condition and possibly associated aneurysm hasn’t significantly worsened in the intervening six years and that you therefore now require more regular monitoring). It will do you no good to bury your head in the sand. Unless, of course, you have, like I said, a desire to slip off this mortal coil sooner rather than later.

Damage to the heart can occur the longer you leave treatment of a stenosed bicuspid valve – damage and untimely death. Ruptured aneurysms take no prisoners.

Your condition is treatable. Of the countless serious and potentially fatal conditions our bodies can be subjected to, your condition is one of the more welcoming ones because it’s rectification has a tremendously high success rate. It need not be fatal unless the patient chooses to ignore a cardiologist’s expert advice or has a devil-may-care attitude to personal health.

It is a ‘mechanical’ issue that can be rectified by the brilliant skill of a heart surgeon. There is absolutely no reason why you cannot continue to live a full, long and healthy life post surgery (should you need surgery … and one has to assume that eventually you will be subject to surgery considering the inherent pathology of your congenital heart condition).

Hesitate at your peril. Be kind to yourself and your loved ones: get yourself monitored.

Good health and best wishes to you.
Jennifer McInerney  As my surgeon said “no good ever came from waiting with this condition”. It’s scary to contemplate but your alternative is way worse. Keep on top of this and find a medical team you trust.
Jennifer Johngot a new guestbook post
1 day ago
Like  |  Jennifer John likes this
Big Sis writes, "Good grief! I should have read your entire post before burning all of my bras so I could show you I was a very committed new member of your 'movement'!"
Jennifer John  “Most” of it was true.🤗
Jennifer McInerney  I am a convert. I have been brakes for two weeks and it feels pretty good. The funny/sad thing is no one has noticed that they aren’t in their usually perky ... Read more
Jennifer McInerney  I am a convert. I have been brakes for two weeks and it feels pretty good. The funny/sad thing is no one has noticed that they aren’t in their usually perky position. I think camisoles and spandex undershirts are my new wardrobe staple. The tyranny of the underworld bra is over!! March on Heart Sisters!!!
Jennifer McInerney  Braless not brakes, even spell check doesn’t like the concept
Jennifer John  Tyranny!😲👍🏻
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