I am so glad to have found this forum. It has been enlightening to read about others with a similar history (Hodgkins with radiation therapy in mid-70s).
I had my first heart issue in the mid-80s with a brief bout of pericarditis. I had a stent in ’96, then nothing until a few years ago when I was diagnosed with AS. I have had three more stents since then.
A check up in November showed the valve area had decreased to 1.0. The pressure difference (?) was 60 or 80. I think ideally, it should be zero.
In December, I had third degree heart block and am now a proud owner of a dual chamber pacemaker. (I was pretty naive about it. When the doctor in the ER told me what I had and that I would need a pacemaker, I said “you mean sometime soon ?”. He said, yes, in about an hour!)
The surgeon confirmed that because of the history with radiation, decrease in valve area and continued symptoms, things will probably continue to get worse and I should go ahead schedule replacement surgery (with a mechanical valve). I have a couple more tests before setting a date, but it will probably be near the end of March.
I still have much to learn (taking warfarin, pre and post surgery expectations, etc), but wanted to say thanks for others that have taken the time to share their experiences and offer valuable advice/insights .
I had my first heart issue in the mid-80s with a brief bout of pericarditis. I had a stent in ’96, then nothing until a few years ago when I was diagnosed with AS. I have had three more stents since then.
A check up in November showed the valve area had decreased to 1.0. The pressure difference (?) was 60 or 80. I think ideally, it should be zero.
In December, I had third degree heart block and am now a proud owner of a dual chamber pacemaker. (I was pretty naive about it. When the doctor in the ER told me what I had and that I would need a pacemaker, I said “you mean sometime soon ?”. He said, yes, in about an hour!)
The surgeon confirmed that because of the history with radiation, decrease in valve area and continued symptoms, things will probably continue to get worse and I should go ahead schedule replacement surgery (with a mechanical valve). I have a couple more tests before setting a date, but it will probably be near the end of March.
I still have much to learn (taking warfarin, pre and post surgery expectations, etc), but wanted to say thanks for others that have taken the time to share their experiences and offer valuable advice/insights .
