I had a TAVR done four years ago. I am 67 and the valve is not functioning properly. I suffered a heart attack a month ago and had an artery stented. I have ...Read more
I had a TAVR done four years ago. I am 67 and the valve is not functioning properly. I suffered a heart attack a month ago and had an artery stented. I have another artery at 80% they couldn’t get to and another only 35% they said could be treated with meds. My cardiologist doesn’t want to do a TAVR in TAVR because he believes I can go right thru it like I did the first so open heart is the situation I am looking at. What is your opinion. I trust my cardiologist but I am scared and just getting opinions.
Ana Brusso Hello Rafael, welcome. Some of us believe in always getting a second or even a third opinion if we ar ... Read more
Ana Brusso Hello Rafael, welcome. Some of us believe in always getting a second or even a third opinion if we are not sure. Keep us posted and praying for you to make the right decision. 🙏❤️
Marie Myers I agree that a second opinion is a good idea. I would also try to get the opinion from a completely u ... Read more
Marie Myers I agree that a second opinion is a good idea. I would also try to get the opinion from a completely unrelated cardiology group. I would also want to know if the valve may have failed due to cholesterol deposits. If so, you might want to take a hard look at improved diet , statins, weight loss, and excercise. It isnt fun, but all those things can improve your health tremendously.
Susan Lynn I'm guessing your surgeon wants to clear that blocked artery at the same time he does the valve. Th ... Read more
Susan Lynn I'm guessing your surgeon wants to clear that blocked artery at the same time he does the valve. That would require surgery. I agree with Ana about getting multiple opinions and I'd find out why your valve failed in only four years. Please keep us posted on your progress. Best of luck to you.
Robert Miller I am not a doctor so don't take my word for it but it seems like you have the valve and arteries to b ... Read more
Robert Miller I am not a doctor so don't take my word for it but it seems like you have the valve and arteries to be taken care of which is probably easier and safer done with open heart surgery. The recovery is a pain but you are still relatively young where you should be able to recover quickly if you are in good health otherwise. As for the heart attack, as them about stents. Also, if you have afib, or even if you don't, you probably want to have the appendage removed to reduce the risk of strokes.
John Cook I’m not a doctor but they told me they usually don’t stint for clogs below 60%. It makes sense to ... Read more
John Cook I’m not a doctor but they told me they usually don’t stint for clogs below 60%. It makes sense to treat the 35% with statins. If the 80% is a hard plaque, it might be worth a bypass while they are doing your valve. If it’s a soft plaque, it might be worth a stint while they are doing your valve.
I would also want to know if the valve may have failed due to cholesterol deposits. If so, you might want to take a hard look at improved diet , statins, weight loss, and excercise. It isnt fun, but all those things can improve your health tremendously.
Those would be the main questions I’d be asking.