Clarissa Miller - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

2063 days ago

I am 51 yrs. old and have aortic stenosis w/bi-cuspid valve, VSD/murmur, afib with tchy/brady syndrome. I am symptomatic and have been for the last 2 years ...Read more

I am 51 yrs. old and have aortic stenosis w/bi-cuspid valve, VSD/murmur, afib with tchy/brady syndrome. I am symptomatic and have been for the last 2 years with the severity of symptoms worsening in the past year. I have recently been admitted twice and to the ER once in the past year. I am extremely frustrated because my quality of life has plummeted. I am short of breath, dizzy, lightheaded, and have to rest when I am simply doing day to day chores. I even lost my job because I missed too many days. I don't think I am being taken seriously because of my age and because my stenosis is in the moderate category. I want surgery to get my life back. I see my Cardiologist Friday 10/5 and a Electrocardiologist 10/3. I live in a small rural community and have to travel 2 hours to some of my appointments. Is there anyone else who has experienced this? I feel like the wait and watch should be over and the surgery game should be stepped up. Any advice or recommendations is greatly appreciated.

Valerie Altman I'm 45 in the same condition i waited from June til last week for a surgeon appointment and that day ... Read more

Valerie Altman I'm 45 in the same condition i waited from June til last week for a surgeon appointment and that day set my surgery for Oct 16. I've had problems.with insurance but just got hip approved finally just in time
My symptoms are severe now as well. Adding edema to the mix..

Clarissa Millerposted an update

2532 days ago

Tamika J reacted to this

Hi, I'm brand new to this website. I was born with heart murmur and a patun ductus that was closed when I was about 12 yr old. The murmur was never fixed. About ...Read more

Hi, I'm brand new to this website. I was born with heart murmur and a patun ductus that was closed when I was about 12 yr old. The murmur was never fixed. About three years ago I started feeling shortness of breath, had swelling in my legs and feet, as well as off and on "heart pounding" with occasional arrhythmia. Since the arrhythmia could never be recorded by heart monitor and the shortness of breath attributed to my asthma and weight the cardiologist said I needed to lose weight, be more active and get better control on my blood pressure. I have lost weight and have more active days then I used too. However, the active days lead to days when I cannot do anything but sleep and walking up and down stairs takes my breath away and my heart pounds. Another cardiologist then did echo, stress test, and US. It was determined that I have moderate aortic stenosis and was told I needed to repeat these tests every year to track the progression. I was told there is always progression and valve replacement would eventually be needed. I am fifty years old and want to know if anyone on this blog has convinced a surgeon to operate at this stage rather than waiting for the inevitable progression.

Phyllis Petersen Welcome to the community! I hope you find the answers you need here. I was severe when I had my mitra ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen Welcome to the community! I hope you find the answers you need here. I was severe when I had my mitral valve repaired, but this is a large and helpful community.

Jennifer McInerney Welcome Clarissa. I have a similar story and had many years of "watchful waiting" of my AS in the mo ... Read more

Jennifer McInerney Welcome Clarissa. I have a similar story and had many years of "watchful waiting" of my AS in the moderate stage. I am now 62 and recently diagnosed with severe stage AS. I would suggest you get another opinion. I know that moderate stage can have symptoms in one person and not another. I am actually asymptomatic in severe stage. It seems to be a very unique process for each person.

Civita Fahey my surgeon said that whenever a patient has symptoms its time to think about surgery.. if your sympto ... Read more

Civita Fahey my surgeon said that whenever a patient has symptoms its time to think about surgery.. if your symptoms are severe enough for you to be uncomfortable maybe you should get another opinion? I go three opinions on my stenosis. I was moderate to severe and had no symptoms.. I got mild symptoms at severe and had surgery within 6 months.

Pat Munn Clarissa - I am only about a week with this community, but, yes, I also have had a heart murmur for m ... Read more

Pat Munn Clarissa - I am only about a week with this community, but, yes, I also have had a heart murmur for most of my life.. It is not 'quite' at the cirtical stenosis stage, but I was able to get my cardiologist to provide the right tests, (Echo, TEE, Cardiac Cath.) and we requested my insurance review. They approved valve replacement currently scheduled for mid-July. In my case, at least, the insurance approval was the key. Prayers to you as you move along the journey !

Laura Jacobs Hi Clarissa, I had a murmur for about four years. Went from mild aortic stenosis to severe in that t ... Read more

Laura Jacobs Hi Clarissa, I had a murmur for about four years. Went from mild aortic stenosis to severe in that time frame. When I started having symptoms about 6 weeks ago, they found an aortic aneurysm. I was also told that the emergence of symptoms was a sign that surgery needed to be considered. My surgery is tomorrow morning.