Lisa Popp - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Lisa Poppposted an update

95 days ago

Hi,

I am so thankful I discovered this website. I found out last year I have a bicuspid aortic valve and am now looking at a replacement. I'll be 58 ...Read more

Hi,

I am so thankful I discovered this website. I found out last year I have a bicuspid aortic valve and am now looking at a replacement. I'll be 58 soon and am very active. I've met with two surgeons and neither would offer a less-invasive surgery because I am petite at 5'. Should I go tissue valve which is what I wanted, one would do an enlargement procedure to give me the largest valve possible to accomodate a TAVR in the future. He initially was hoping for two future TAVRs but that is not possible because of my CT scan results. I would be looking at just one future TAVR and possibly another intervention. He has recommended a mechanical valve because of my age. I'm concerned about hearing the ticking and dealing with blood thinners. I've spoken with a Coumadin nurse to better understand the complexity of being on blood thinners including diet, testing, etc. Having not gone through surgery yet, I don't know if having a possible second surgery is worse than living my life on blood thinners. This is truly the most difficult decision I've had to make in my life.

I had labyrinthitis in the past few years, lost hearing and balance response in one ear and am now super sensitive to all noise in my other, and have constant pressure in my head. I hear ringing and noise in my ears at all times. It was a slow road back to feeling more like myself but this changed my life forever. I've heard my heartbeat for many years too.

That said, does anyone have a recent mechanical valve and what has been your experience?

Thank you so much, Lisa
LOVE this very informative website!

Dan Fouratt Lisa, Decision are difficult. I am SSD like you from an acoustic neuroma which was 6 months before OH ... Read more

Dan Fouratt Lisa, Decision are difficult. I am SSD like you from an acoustic neuroma which was 6 months before OHS. In determining my course for that treatment the best advice from one doctor "is what ever decision you make for treatment do not second guess yourself, focus on making it work for you". Each of us needs to choose what is best for ourselves. Good luck on your decision journey.

Yumiko Ishida It is a hard question. I was 54 at the time of my surgery. I was already on warfarin due to history o ... Read more

Yumiko Ishida It is a hard question. I was 54 at the time of my surgery. I was already on warfarin due to history of afib and stroke, was doing fine with it, and thought I could keep going like that, but decided on tissue. In the end, my neurologist was the most helpful doctor, not a cardiologist or surgeon, in making the final decision. Being on warfarin limits treatment options for many non cardiology conditions. I suggest you talk to your other doctors before making your decision. Surgery is a risk, repeat surgery is a risk, but being on warfarin has risks, too. There is really no wrong or right answer. It was one of the hardest decisions I made in my life, but I don’t regret it. Like Dan says, don’t look back once you decide!