Aortic valve

[teach532]

Hello, we have been watching my valve for about 5 years now, it's been from 1.8 now between .77-.79. I see my cardiologist every six months and each time we say next time will be the time to schedule surgery. But God willing, it hasn't gotten to that point. I do have dizziness and shortness of breath at times, but I guess we're waiting until the valve gets to a .70. He said that normal valve openings are 2.0...I am trying to lose weight and exercise, he said nothing to crazy and no weights over 20 lbs. do you agree with this, I started with a trainer last week and do far, so good, but I'm not sure what pain is in my chest, is it from working out and new muscles or am I over working my heart? On Monday I was very dizzy and felt very nauseous, so we waited and it passed, I want to lose weight so that I will recover quicker, but I do not want to die either, i think too much Internet surfing is scaring me. What should I do, stop or continue and not push too hard.


This discussion is related to Exercise and Aortic Stenosis.

 

[Agian]

1.8 to 0.8 in five years. That's a deterioration of 2mm a year. So chances are you'll need it repaired within a year (0.7) anyway. I'd want another opinion, before deciding to delay surgery, just to be on the safe side.

Do you have a bicuspid valve?

 

[AZ Don]

I had surgery because of my aneurysm, not the condition of my valve, but what I've read repeatedly in the few months since I've been on this site is that once you have symptoms of aortic stenosis, it's time for surgery. In fact many wished they had done it sooner and saved themselves the time living with symptoms, and associated concerns. It sounds to me like you will need it anyways and the restrictions will be mostly, or even completely lifted a few months after.

 

[dwhist]

I am not a doctor, but I think I would concentrate on light work out stuff like walking until after surgery.

 

[neil]

yea light stuff would be my path to

 

[tom in MO]

The symptoms of aortic stenosis are:
Chest pain (angina) or tightness
Feeling faint or fainting with exertion
Shortness of breath, especially with exertion
Fatigue, especially during times of increased activity
Heart palpitations — sensations of a rapid, fluttering heartbeat

Since you had what may be a valve related episode during excercise, I'd call my cardiologist and talk to their staff. They need to know about any change in your symptoms. They are also the best ones to give you advice as to how much is too much exercise for your condition.

 

[teach532]

1.8 to 0.8 in five years. That's a deterioration of 2mm a year. So chances are you'll need it repaired within a year (0.7) anyway. I'd want another opinion, before deciding to delay surgery, just to be on the safe side.

Do you have a bicuspid valve?

I know there was talk early on, but I can't remember, it's so hard to remember everything. My cardio says my heart is strong, just this little thing. I was first diagnosed as having tri cor atrium which is really rare, but misdiagnosed. I just am not sure if waiting another six months is what I should do. We've agreed on a mechanical valve, one because I am 45, a teacher and do not wNt to do this again...and two because I don't ever want to do this again.... I am terrified of the surgery and the wake g up part afterward. Terrified I may not live through the pain, my father died at 53, from a quadruple bypass...he couldn't handle the pain....

 

[Agian]

Try not to fret too much matey. Most of the people here who have had OHS say the pain is uncomfortable but tolerable. Sorry to hear about your dad's passing. Your dad had the operation many years ago. Things have changed, for sure. Take care.

 

[Onx_06]

I know there was talk early on, but I can't remember, it's so hard to remember everything. My cardio says my heart is strong, just this little thing. I was first diagnosed as having tri cor atrium which is really rare, but misdiagnosed. I just am not sure if waiting another six months is what I should do. We've agreed on a mechanical valve, one because I am 45, a teacher and do not wNt to do this again...and two because I don't ever want to do this again.... I am terrified of the surgery and the wake g up part afterward. Terrified I may not live through the pain, my father died at 53, from a quadruple bypass...he couldn't handle the pain....

Have you tried getting a 2nd opinion? No matter which route you take, you will be fine. Medicine is evolving every day and valve replacement surgery are showing 99% success rate.

 

[clay_from_nj]

Most of the people here who have had OHS say the pain is uncomfortable but tolerable.

And some of us suffered no real pain at all. There was the discomfort when sneezing or coughing right after the surgery, but it was really no worse than an everyday "owie", stub a toe, head bumping a doorway, step on a goathead (owww!). It's a weird situation to be trying to convince the nurses that you don't really need any painkillers. I would have to say that excruciating, debilitating pain is definitely not the norm.

 

[AZ Don]

I know there was talk early on, but I can't remember, it's so hard to remember everything. My cardio says my heart is strong, just this little thing. I was first diagnosed as having tri cor atrium which is really rare, but misdiagnosed. I just am not sure if waiting another six months is what I should do. We've agreed on a mechanical valve, one because I am 45, a teacher and do not wNt to do this again...and two because I don't ever want to do this again.... I am terrified of the surgery and the wake g up part afterward. Terrified I may not live through the pain, my father died at 53, from a quadruple bypass...he couldn't handle the pain....

Sorry about what happened with your father but I would guess that happened some time ago and/or was not the typical experience. I can tell you that the pain I had from OHS was nothing compared to the pain I had from knee surgery 30 years ago. I was never very uncomfortable in the hospital and I didn't need anything stronger than an occasional over the counter ibuprofen by the time I left. The biggest discomfort I probably had was trying to sleep in a normal position at home. It wasn't terribly painful, but it was uncomfortable so I used a recliner for a time and that worked. After surgery you will find that certain movements/positions can bring on a little pain, and so you move a little slow and stop moving in the directions that hurt.

The way I looked at my risk from my aneurysm was that surgery was inevitable. So surgery was a risk no matter what, but I was also at risk from the aneurysm, and the longer I waited for surgery the longer (and higher) that risk was. I consider myself lucky that it turned out I already met the surgical criteria and so I didn't wait long. Waiting is the worst part.

 

[clawie1]

Hi teach532
I was in the waiting room 13 years before my aortic valve surgery this year. When my condition was diagnosed as severe back in 2009, my cardio asked me if I fainted, had swollen ankles, dizziness, or chest pain and my answer was always "no". Before surgery, I was in zumba, kickboxing, lifting light weights and all the while I thought I was in pretty good shape. One thing I did notice was feeling very tired or a little winded going uphill but passed this on as "age related" until the day came when this fatigue would not go away and I was admitted to ER and a few days later I had my surgery. Everyone's body is different however I would agree with Agian and get a second opinion because you mentioned 3 red flag warnings - chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath.

Also, look into whether or not you are a candidate for minimally invasive AVR because not everyone is so talk with your cardio or cardiac surgeon. Cleveland Clinic has some really good information. And it is normal to have those feelings of fear - I think just about everyone on this site experienced them, but was so relieved when the surgery was over. In fact, three days after surgery, I asked my surgeon when I was going to feel the pain.

I wish you all the best and know you have a lot of support here. Nita

 

[big_L]

The pain was not bad at all. After the first day, I wasn't hitting the fentanyl button much. I did ask for oral pain meds at bedtime, but this was more of a 'help me make it through the night' issue. Yes, you'll be uncomfortable and wish you weren't going through this. But, you'll get through it, we all have.

 

[MrsBray]

I am in the SAME place you are right now...so close, and waiting. I discussed exercise with my cardio, and he said I should not be exercising to lose weight, I'm past that point. I should be exercising to keep track of my benchmarks. For instance, walking. I keep track of my heart rate (I know I am uncomfortable over 120 bpm) and how long or how far I can walk before I feel winded. I walk and I swim, and I do Richard Simmons aerobics, but only half - only the legs or only the arms. Bottom line from my dr was "Don't exercise so much it makes you uncomfortable."

 

[Cooker]

I was told the time for surgery is BEFORE symptoms like SOB and dizziness if possible. I would get a second opinion, seriously. Good luck.

 

[tom in MO]

I agree with Cooker. I don't remember my "numbers" except my BAV was at 1/3 its normal diameter when they recommended surgery. If yours is 0.7 and normal is 2.0, you've reached that point. I had no symptoms that were significant. I got my first light-headed episode after surgery was required.