Hi everyone! Recently, I was diagnosed with aortic regurgitation due to a bicuspid aortic valve. This is after seeing my doctor for shortness of breath and ...Read more
Hi everyone! Recently, I was diagnosed with aortic regurgitation due to a bicuspid aortic valve. This is after seeing my doctor for shortness of breath and some other symptoms. I have more testing coming up this week to determine how soon surgery is needed. This is probably a question with very different answers, depending on each case, but I'm wondering, for those who experience shortness of breath leading up to aortic valve replacement, how bad does it get before the valve needs to be replaced? I am still pretty active, but get tired faster than I used to. I chase my four kids around everyday, which is exhausting in and of itself...I can still run, jump rope for a few minutes, stuff like that, but all day, even at rest, I find it difficult to take a full breath. Also, after surgery, does breathing seem to be restored pretty quickly, or does it take quite awhile? Anyone have experience with shortness of breath that they are willing to chime in on? I'd really appreciate it! Thanks in advance!
Lilly Black In my experience, it got so bad before surgery, that I was only able to walk half a block, then rest ... Read more
Lilly Black In my experience, it got so bad before surgery, that I was only able to walk half a block, then rest for a few minutes, then walk a bit more. I had to rest often. After each activity, I had to rest and recover. I had a lot of chest pain. I also had to rest often when speaking....I felt light headed and breathless carrying out a conversation. From the beginning, I was symptomatic. I think it's different for all ages, and for different problems. But for me, for the first surgery, it was about the risk. I have BAV, and my aortic aneurysm was at 4.8cm, which is dangerous and I wanted the surgery as soon as possible. My aneurysm was fixed in 2007, but the natural valve was left inside. 7 years later, my valve needed to be replaced.....this time it was about quality of life and morbidity. My heart was failing! My surgeon removed my diseased valve, and replaced it with a 23MM Bovine valve (I was 63 at the time). When I was out of ICU and my friend called me, we spoke for at least an hour on the phone..........I felt the change then, so for me it was an immediate and positive outcome.! I was amazed! at 63, I was beginning to feel like 43. After my body healed, I had so much energy....my husband who is 69 cannot keep up with me. You will feel great, and you will do great! feel free to read my journal....good luck! I wish you the best outcome.
Cathleen Weed The healthier you can go in, the healthier you'll come out. Don't push the limits. Shortness of breat ... Read more
Cathleen Weed The healthier you can go in, the healthier you'll come out. Don't push the limits. Shortness of breath means your ENTIRE body is lacking the oxygen it needs, not just your lungs. You will feel amazing after the surgery/recovery but you've got to go through it to get there. You'll know more after your diagnostic testing but it sounds like it's time.
Civita Fahey HI Sarah, your symptoms seem like mine.. I can still walk a couple of miles but every so often need t ... Read more
Civita Fahey HI Sarah, your symptoms seem like mine.. I can still walk a couple of miles but every so often need to take a breath, can go up 2-3 flights of stairs but again at the top have to take a breath.. I can do my boxing class but have to stop every so often which I didn't about 6 months ago.. I was told that these are mild symptoms but symptoms none the less and the valve should be taken care of before any damage is done to the heart.. as you see I'm scheduled Monday and can't wait to get this behind me... good luck on your decision.. its not an easy one, but one that needs to be made.
Sarah Higley Thanks, ladies! Your posts are right in line with what my gut feeling is. I am pretty healthy, in all ... Read more
Sarah Higley Thanks, ladies! Your posts are right in line with what my gut feeling is. I am pretty healthy, in all other areas, but this breathing thing is definitely not right. I had my fourth baby one year ago this month, and I feel like I have way less lung capacity now, than a year ago when I was nine months pregnant. I will be surprised if they tell me I can hold off a bit. I just wish I had a few years before it is necessary for surgery, so the baby could get a little older. If nothing else, this whole thing sure puts life into perspective. Things that would have bothered me before, I couldn't care less about now. Haha! Funny how that works! Trying to embrace the journey and count my blessings every day! Thanks for your insight! I appreciate it so very much! Civita, I will be watching for your posts after surgery! Can't wait to hear how smoothly everything went! Praying grace and peace for you and your family this weekend, and for a perfect surgery on Monday! Blessings!
Lynda Ruiz I was diagnosed with COPD in 2009 from lifelong Chronic bronchitis. Then in 2012 we moved to the mtn ... Read more
Lynda Ruiz I was diagnosed with COPD in 2009 from lifelong Chronic bronchitis. Then in 2012 we moved to the mtns in northern AZ. At 5000 ft my breathing is more challenged and I use oxygen at night. 2 months ago I had surgery in Flagstaff which is 7000ft and needed full time oxygen at higher concentration. All this is the long way around to currently feeling more easily out of breath and not knowing if it is "just" the COPD or if it is the heart. I was scheduled today for OHS 5/25 in TX.
Lynda Ruiz I was diagnosed with COPD in 2009 from lifelong Chronic bronchitis. Then in 2012 we moved to the mtn ... Read more
Lynda Ruiz I was diagnosed with COPD in 2009 from lifelong Chronic bronchitis. Then in 2012 we moved to the mtns in northern AZ. At 5000 ft my breathing is more challenged and I use oxygen at night. 2 months ago I had surgery in Flagstaff which is 7000ft and needed full time oxygen at higher concentration. All this is the long way around to currently feeling more easily out of breath and not knowing if it is "just" the COPD or if it is the heart. I was scheduled today for OHS 5/25 in TX.
