Lisa's Journal

Hi, I was born with BAV which is now narrowed at 1.7 cm sq and with mild calcification. I have a mildly stenotic mitral valve that is opening well and is mildly calcified. Both valves have mild regurgitation. I also have an ascending aortic aneurysm at 4.4 cm. Over the past couple of years my left and right atrium have been mildly enlarged. My newest echo shows my right atrium is now moderately enlarged and my left atrium is still mildly enlarged. My left and right ventricles are normal size. Has anyone else in the community experienced atrial dilation and if so what was given as the explanation? Thank you, Lisa Courkamp

Hi There. I would like to hear from San Diego patients who would recommend their cardiologist for BAV with aortic aneurysm. More specifically, I am most interested in hearing from patients who have been proactively sent by there S.D. cardiologist for brain aneurysm screening as a precautionary measure....or have at least been advised to have this screening given the correlation between BAV, aortic aneurysm and brain aneurysm. This risk is even higher in female patients. Looking forward to hearing from you!

I am wondering if any patients on this site have had any concerning changes with their heart that does not seem to be related to their original heart condition? Additionally, I am interested in hearing from anyone who has had such an occurrence that their Dr.'s have not been able to explain. I found out a couple of weeks ago that I have had mild biatrial (upper heart chambers) dilation since 2013. The problems that usually cause this are mitral valve disease, high blood pressure, heart failure, septal defect and arrhythmia. My cardiologist stated none of these explanations seem to fit. I have had low blood pressure all of my life, there is no mitral valve disease, I am not showing signs of heart failure, I do not have a septal defect and while I have had increased palpitations the past two years they have come on with the intense hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause. Palpitations are very common during this "change of life" for women. My cardiologist has ordered a 2 week arrhythmia study as a precaution but seems doubtful a non-benign arrhythmia has caused the biatrial dilation. He said in rare instances, exercise can cause the biatrial dilation. While it is true that I have been aerobically active for almost 20 years now (mostly brisk walking) I am not an intense athlete and do not put my body through the rigors of one. Anyway, I would appreciate hearing from anyone that has encountered seemingly unexplained changes with their heart. I am finding it unsettling. Thank you! Lisa

Hi there! I am Lisa, I am 48 years old and I reside in San Diego, CA. I've known about my bicuspid aortic valve from the age of 5 years old. I have been told several times now that I am lucky it was ever found given how faint my heart murmur is. For most of my life, my heart disease wasn't something I gave much thought to. My condition had been mild for most of my life as I have always had a very well functioning bicuspid valve. Still do. So, I would go to my annual cardiac exams and expect the same response as usual: no change. That was until 13 years ago when an ascending aortic aneurysm was found. At the time, I was frightened but after educating myself and understanding this was a "watch and wait" scenario I settled in to acceptance and much less anxiety. For 13 years my aneurysm had been about 4.1 cm and my bicuspid valve has remained well functioning, as mentioned. But this week, for the first time in years, the annual visit with my cardiologist was different. I was given the news that my aneurysm is now 4.3 cm. For many people this would not likely leave them feeling too anxious. But, for me, at 5'5.5" and 112 lbs this puts me much closer to surgery size which is 4.5 cm. Unfortunately, the news did not end there. I also found out I now have mild biatrial dilation. When I asked what can cause this none of the explanations fit according to my cardiologist until I mentioned my increasing "hormonal" heart palpitations. To explain, I am now in the full swing of perimenopause. With that, I experience days in a row each month where I have several palpitations which have increased in intensity. This has now led my cardiologist to decide on pursuing a 2 week arrhythmia study which I will begin within the next week. To be honest, I am disheartened by all of this news. I take exceptional care of my health to keep my heart in tip top shape. So much so that the spectrum of blood labs, including high sensitive CRP ( to check for inflammation in by body), my cardiologist sent me for this past week resulted in excellent outcomes. Given the excellent health I am in outside of my heart issues I am having trouble grappling with the lack of control I have over the progression of my heart disease. I say that even though I am fully aware I was born with a heart disease I never had control of in the 1st place. I would love to hear from patients like me who have strived to keep themselves in excellent health and have been deeplyntroubled by the progression of their heart disease. Thank you! Lisa