Rhodie Jacobson - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

404 days ago

I am asking about symptoms and moderate regurgitation from Bicuspid aortic valve and an aneurysm.

I had echocardiograms and an MRI--all measurements ...Read more

I am asking about symptoms and moderate regurgitation from Bicuspid aortic valve and an aneurysm.

I had echocardiograms and an MRI--all measurements indicate moderate regurgitation with from BAV with an aneurysm.

I have that shortness of breath--when I look at a flight of stairs, I mutter a little complaint and go up. Slight lightheadedness sometimes and edema (not huge but it's there). Edema is really there when I've been on my feet for half a day. I could be convinced that the shortness of breath is in my head...too much time to think. I also have fatigue. The moderate numbers made my cardiologist send a message saying "see you in a year". I shared the symptoms over mychart and now am scheduled for an angiogram. I am glad to do that and said so but also asked "why" and was told that this is to rule things out before my next steps.

I keep trying to figure out what is next. The nurse said the symptoms might be from the Blood pressure meds...we keep adjusting those because we just can't control my blood pressure.
Do people get the valve replaced with moderate regurgitation, 4.7 cm aneurysm and symptoms? Maybe that's not fair to ask but sakes alive, it's on my mind.

Andrew Dial Hey thanks for sharing. So I guess first I would ask why are you on blood pressure meds currently?

Andrew Dial I was at moderate/severeregurg, and 4.8cm aorta dilation. And severe stenosis. And had my Ross proced ... Read more

Andrew Dial I was at moderate/severeregurg, and 4.8cm aorta dilation. And severe stenosis. And had my Ross procedure and Dacron graft replacement.

Subhash Chandel Rhodie, I have the same questions and don't know the answers. It is recommended to keep blood pressur ... Read more

Subhash Chandel Rhodie, I have the same questions and don't know the answers. It is recommended to keep blood pressure in check (below 120) and be active (do yoga or light exercise or breathing exercises but do not exert or weight lift). My understanding is that people with 4.7cm aneurysm do get operated but valve or symptoms have to be severe.

Brady Busch They can also do a treadmill stress test,which may reveal things.

Rita Savelis I'm sorry that you have to go through this. It is standard to do an angiogram before heart surgery to ... Read more

Rita Savelis I'm sorry that you have to go through this. It is standard to do an angiogram before heart surgery to make sure that your arteries are not blocked. So once you have this test, you will be ready to have surgery whenever it might be needed. This is a good thing. I did all the prep tests and it still was awhile before surgery was recommended. I was followed for 6 years. Blood pressure meds can definitely give you side effect symptoms as well. There is no specific rule as to when to do surgery. Some never have symptoms; some have them. There is no right way to proceed. You can meet with a surgeon, however, to see what he/she thinks. Surgeons know a bit more about surgery than cardiologists. I met my surgeons a year before surgery. Take care.

Rhodie Jacobson Andrew-I just can't get my blood pressure down. average 140s/80s. Best I get is 130s/70s---Does the r ... Read more

Rhodie Jacobson Andrew-I just can't get my blood pressure down. average 140s/80s. Best I get is 130s/70s---Does the regurgitation amplify that?

Ana Brusso As our dear Rose always says, get a second or third opinion, meet with a surgeon etc. You have sympto ... Read more

Ana Brusso As our dear Rose always says, get a second or third opinion, meet with a surgeon etc. You have symptoms now, it could be the meds or the regurgitation. Find out for sure. Please keep us posted. God bless you in your journey 🙏❤️☘️

Marie Myers I had my bicuspid valve replaced ,my 4.8 cm ascending aneurysm, and aortic root aneurysm replaced at ... Read more

Marie Myers I had my bicuspid valve replaced ,my 4.8 cm ascending aneurysm, and aortic root aneurysm replaced at the same time. I did not have severe regurg, but my aneurysm was the driving factor for my surgery. Having the angiogram will give the docs more info about your particular circumstance. When I met my first cardiologist ( at the time of my aneurysm diagnosis) , he shocked me by saying surgery was inevitable for me. Shocked as I was, he was right. Get your tests done, and then get another opinion. Trust the science, but verify the need for surgery . You have to be confident in your docs, and asking questions and getting another opinion will get you to the place you need to be. BTW, I also had an eccentric jet on echo…Keeps us posted!

Amy Berger I was diagnosed with moderate aortic stenosis 2 1/2 years ago due to a trileaflet valve that two leaf ... Read more

Amy Berger I was diagnosed with moderate aortic stenosis 2 1/2 years ago due to a trileaflet valve that two leafs stayed fused together at birth. Stenosis went to severe 18 months ago w no symptoms. My cardiologist said I could keep waiting and watching or go to get a surgical opinion. He also said to have an angiogram but that they are only good for two years. I went to see surgeon in December and he said based on entire picture I needed surgery right away. He said it’s now felt that there is far more risk of walking around with even moderate stenosis than having the surgery. I had open heart surgery on January 24th and am so so glad to have it over with! I’m post op 7 weeks and feel great - walking about 4-5 miles a day. I absolutely love not having to think about it any more :)