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Hi Odie, regurgitation could be contributing to your low diastolic pressure. Before my repair mine would typically be in the low 50s at rest. Now it's around 70. (Systolic unchanged in the 105-110 range).

I felt "weird heart pounding" when I was in the hospital post-op. It was like a violent palpitation under my left collarbone, not the usual soft double-beat palpitations I was used to for years. (Those were kind of like when you're startled and your heart jumps.) They turned out to be very...

Hopefully I am DONE with this heart stuff, but we all know there are no promises and no guarantees. However, today I had my 4-month post-op checkup and everything is going as well as can be hoped. Even though my surgeon shoots for a little stenosis during the repair, it apparently worked...

GO GIANTS! (hehe)

I traveled for surgery so I had to sleep in a regular (hotel) bed as soon as I left the hospital. However, at four months post-op, I still hug a pillow when I sit up in the morning because I'll feel some pulling at the top of my scar. It goes away quickly, but the pillow allows me to feel like...

That's great you've been able to track down a cause for your intuition of something not being right. Thanks for sharing! I hope you're feeling back to your old self very soon. I still feel less fit too, but I can see from my fancy scale that I'm still short several pounds of muscle I lost by...

You have a very good surgeon; put your faith in him and his team. Quite a few (still living!) people in this forum have been patients of Dr. Miller. The waiting is the hardest. That reminds me of conversations I would have with my husband before I had surgery. Whenever I'd mention someone...

I always thought "minimal" was 4" so I'm amazed your scars are shorter; 2" seems awfully small to try to pry a gap in the sternum. Mine is 6" and I've wondered if that is considered "minimal" or not. It's certainly positioned higher than the surgeon said it would be, but he needed more access to...

Yeah, 2" would seem awfully small, even for "minimal." Mine is 6" and I've wondered if that is considered "minimal" or not. It's certainly higher than the surgeon said it would be, but he needed more access to do a good job. The scar is a bit annoying still (because it's so red I keep it...

I think you need to address two separate issues independently: 1) Is it time to have surgery? If you aren't sure yet, talk to another doctor. Why did your cardiologist say it is time? Is your heart function declining, do you have symptoms (shortness of breath, etc.)? 2) After it's determined...

Definitely talk to your cardio. I took Metoprolol at bedtime, but I still got lightheaded in the afternoons. I would check my BP then and it was pretty low. I called my cardio's nurse; they took me off the Metoprolol about four weeks post op. It clears your system in about two days. My...

Definitely talk to your cardio. I took Metoprolol at bedtime, but I still got lightheaded in the afternoon. I would check my BP then, and it was pretty low. I called my cardio's nurse and they took me off the Metoprolol about four weeks post op. It clears your system in about two days. My...

If it's the actual CT test you're nervous about, don't be. It's a piece of cake. If they use contrast, it might feel like you're peeing yourself, but you aren't. (So glad the tech warned me in advance; it's so weird.) Good luck!

Guest, you may have better luck if you create an account. I don't think guest posts were supposed to be allowed, and although the site is buggy, it's worse for unregistered users. Best of luck to you.

FWIW, I had no aneurysm and no symptoms but still had my cardiologist and two surgeons say it was time for surgery. Their criteria was the decline in heart function (EF) between annual visits. When the surgeon got in there, he was amazed how bad the regurgitation was in spite of the data from...

Yeah, I picked my "new" cardio a few years ago based on where he had hospital privileges. It reflected well on his reputation, although I didn't end up going to a local hospital. You can get a second opinion even if you decide to go back to the original doctor - so just go for it.

Yeah, I picked my "new" cardio a few years ago based on where he had hospital privileges. It reflected well on his reputation, although I didn't end up going to a local hospital. You can get a second opinion even if you decide to go back to the original doctor - so just go for it.

Yeah, I picked my "new" cardio a few years ago based on where he had hospital privileges. It reflected well on his reputation, although I didn't end up going to a local hospital.

So you'll spare his dog... is he a goner? Sorry, had to ask! Wow, you've been through an awful lot. I sincerely hope the rest of your recovery goes easily for you. Best wishes.

Nothing wrong with a little gallows humor! Whatever helps you get through. And truly, it isn't as bad as I thought. You have a good surgeon; put your faith in him and his team.