For context 57 years old male healthy and active, (could lose 20 pounds) aside from bicuspid aortic valve with moderate stenosis. Never had to take... Read more
For context 57 years old male healthy and active, (could lose 20 pounds) aside from bicuspid aortic valve with moderate stenosis. Never had to take prescription meds. Surgery needed in 3-5 years based on doctor's estimate. What valve would you pick mechanical or tissue? Why?
Darrell Malone With your age I would check and see if you would be a candidate for the Ross procedure. 56 now had it ... Read more
Darrell Malone With your age I would check and see if you would be a candidate for the Ross procedure. 56 now had it done less than 1 year now. A lot of info here regarding the Ross. All the best.
Rose Madura I had a tissue valve at age 59. It's a very difficult and personal choice but after you do your dilig ... Read more
Rose Madura I had a tissue valve at age 59. It's a very difficult and personal choice but after you do your diligent research, make a decision and don't look back. It will be the right decision for you.👍
Rita Savelis Gosh, I would wait those 3 to 5 years before tackling that decision. Take care.
Pamela Gregory I think waiting is a good idea too as that could make your choice easier. I was 55 and went with tis... Read more
Pamela Gregory I think waiting is a good idea too as that could make your choice easier. I was 55 and went with tissue because I didn't want to be on blood thinners, but there are many on this site that went with mechanical and are very happy
Wayne Shields Rita. Agreed don’t stress over it too much I still have time. thanks Thinking about at least a seco ... Read more
Wayne Shields Rita. Agreed don’t stress over it too much I still have time. thanks Thinking about at least a second surgery 15 years down the road is making me consider the mechanical valve. I really don’t want to be on blood thinners forever. But is it worth it to avoid future surgery. Even though the next will be TAVR.
Thinking a lot about surgery lately. I’m not scheduled for anything yet and have my next echo in just over a month, Jan 2025. I think this will be the third ...Read more
Thinking a lot about surgery lately. I’m not scheduled for anything yet and have my next echo in just over a month, Jan 2025. I think this will be the third one in a year and so far no significant change. I bike to work ans often as I can and the last couple weeks it seems harder to catch my breath and this has me nervous and makes me wonder if it’s time for surgery the echo in January will obviously give me more info.
Wondering what others experiences might have been.
Rose Madura Wayne, I had a bicuspid aortic of valve which was further damaged from a bout of rheumatic fever at a ... Read more
Rose Madura Wayne, I had a bicuspid aortic of valve which was further damaged from a bout of rheumatic fever at age 7. In 2017 at age 59, I had it replaced with a tissue valve and also had an aneurysm and root repair. I didn't think I was symptomatic and attributed my symptoms as just getting older. When my cardiologist retired and I switched to a new one after 2nd opinion, I was told now is the time and don't put it off at all. I was planning to retire in June and this was in April. So I retired early and had the surgery. So it you are experiencing some symptoms, the time may be getting closer. The echo will help determine this. I'm sorry if I was too wordy. God bless you on this journey and please keep us updated. Ask any questions and we'll be happy to help. 👍
Marcus Krauss Wayne, I also had a bicuspid aortic valve that was recently replaced at age 46 with a Ross Procedure. ... Read more
Marcus Krauss Wayne, I also had a bicuspid aortic valve that was recently replaced at age 46 with a Ross Procedure. I had no physical symptoms prior to surgery, but the valve regurgitation had been severe for 3-4 years, and my left ventricle was enlarged past the point of recommending surgery. I'm glad that I got the procedure done before I developed symptoms, and while I'm still pretty young. My recovery has been pretty quick and easy because of this. Obviously your upcoming ECG will show what shape your heart is in right now, but if it gets to a point where the cardiologist is recommending you see a surgeon, delaying it won't do you any favors. You'll never be as young as you are right now, and postponing a few more years can make your recovery more difficult, and may make it so that even after your heart gets repaired it's too late for it to make a full 100% recovery.
Dan Fouratt Wayne, I lived with a BAV 27 years. I slowly progress from mild stenosis to moderate over 25 years ... Read more
Dan Fouratt Wayne, I lived with a BAV 27 years. I slowly progress from mild stenosis to moderate over 25 years and then jumped to severe in the final 2. I had no symptoms but failed a stress test. At 63 I have a bovine valve inserted in March with no issues. In the before the surgery I really did not think much about it as I could not control it. Yearly I saw my doc and he always made a joke about the day he could put a pig valve in me. I always felt if I continued to monitor it nothing would get bad. Keep doing what you are doing and it will be alright.
Robert Miller My condition got bad pretty quickly. It looks like you have an echo in about a month. That should be ... Read more
Robert Miller My condition got bad pretty quickly. It looks like you have an echo in about a month. That should be fine but don't delay it. Wait for the results and go from there and report back.
Wayne Shields Last week had an angiogram and ct scan doctors report very little change from January 2024. Good news ... Read more
Wayne Shields Last week had an angiogram and ct scan doctors report very little change from January 2024. Good news for me monitor every six months and see what happens. They say 3-5 years before it’s time for surgery. Obviously a guess can’t tell how fast things progress. For now I’m happy.