BAV

[preciosa1974]

Hello! I’m new here and so glad I found this site. Everything is going pretty fast. I was very sick and had no idea what was happening to me. Every time I would stand up my BP would shoot up to over 200. Long story short, I found I had a severe leaky valve and a BAV. I feel like I’ve had symptoms for awhile but always chalked it up to “I need more vitamins” “I’m out of shape”. Last year I was training for a marathon and I had so many issues and felt like I could t breathe at times. My previous cardiologist never diagnosed me. Anyways, I’m having the replacement surgery December 19. I’m scared, nervous and anxious. I have a 5 year old so sometimes I get sad. I’m glad I have no other issues. My heart is healthy with no aneurysms or any blockages. I look forward to learning from y’all.

 

[dick0236]

Hi preciosa1974 and welcome to this forum. It is normal to be scared, nervous, and anxious. I was younger(?) than you when I had the surgery but I had two sons (6 & 8 years old) ......so I understand your concern........and now I still have two sons, three grandkids AND five great-grandkids as old as your child. This forum is primarily made up of folks who have been thru OHS (Open Heart Surgery) and have gone on to live normal lives afterward.

 

[preciosa1974]

Hi preciosa1974 and welcome to this forum. It is normal to be scared, nervous, and anxious. I was younger(?) than you when I had the surgery but I had two sons (6 & 8 years old) ......so I understand your concern........and now I still have two sons, three grandkids AND five great-grandkids as old as your child. This forum is primarily made up of folks who have been thru OHS (Open Heart Surgery) and have gone on to live normal lives afterward.

Thank you! I am 48. I also have 2 grown sons. I have an almost 2 year old granddaughter as well. I’m anxious to hear how everyone did after surgery. I’m hoping to get back to running and exercising.

 

[Croooser]

Lots of info from different members if you take a look at the archives. If you have any specific questions, you will receive answers to any questions that you raise.

My opinion...although a severe leaky valve can be life threatening, if not treated with surgery, the success rate is very, very high. And for someone relatively young and in good shape, it is that much higher.

So, no guarantees, but you should come out of this just fine. If you read some of the threads from members who posted before and after surgery, you will get a good feel for what you are about to go through.

Best wishes for a successful surgery and a rapid recovery

 

[Al3x]

Welcome. I remember the fear all to well. My wife gave birth to our second child a month after my surgery. I was terrified that I would never even meet my daughter and that I would just be some bloke in old photographs to her. She said her first word, which was dada, last week! It's a scary time but the odds are overwhelmingly in your favour.

I found recovery pretty brutal. As for running to exercise, I would keep your expectations in check a little. I was asymptomatic and immediately pre surgery my 5k running times were around 17 minutes. Just over a year post surgery and I'm at 20:30. HM time has gone from from 1:21 to 1:37, but I'm hoping to go under 1:30 next year. It's definitely harder but I don't enjoy it any less. Definitely sign up for cardiac rehab. It helps no end.

Best of luck and do ask any questions, no matter how silly they seem. It's a supportive forum with some very knowledgeable members.

 

[pellicle]

Hi and welcome

Get the meetings and get the surgery, then you'll be on the road to recovery.

Don't be sad, be determined

Best wishes

 

[preciosa1974]

Welcome. I remember the fear all to well. My wife gave birth to our second child a month after my surgery. I was terrified that I would never even meet my daughter and that I would just be some bloke in old photographs to her. She said her first word, which was dada, last week! It's a scary time but the odds are overwhelmingly in your favour.

I found recovery pretty brutal. As for running to exercise, I would keep your expectations in check a little. I was asymptomatic and immediately pre surgery my 5k running times were around 17 minutes. Just over a year post surgery and I'm at 20:30. HM time has gone from from 1:21 to 1:37, but I'm hoping to go under 1:30 next year. It's definitely harder but I don't enjoy it any less. Definitely sign up for cardiac rehab. It helps no end.

Best of luck and do ask any questions, no matter how silly they seem. It's a supportive forum with some very knowledgeable members.

Wow! HM at even 1:37?!? That’s amazing!!! I could only dream!! yes it’s thinking about my daughter that affects me the most emotionally. I also homeschool and that just adds another layer.

My biggest warning symptoms (although even the cardiologist didn’t realize it at the time) was every time I’d do a HM I’d end up in the tent, feeling like I was going to pass out and once I was sent to the ER. Every time I would stop running after a long run I’d feel awful and everyone chalked it up to dehydration (even though my bloodwork was always perfect). I had a bout of super high BP after a half and my then cardiologist told me to take bo meds but wasn’t telling me why this was happening! The only good thing he advised me
Not to run the full last year which probably saved my life.
I miss running so I am anxious to get back. I began feeling like I had asthma even running 2-3 miles slowly (I’m a ) and couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me! Started taking all kinds of supplements, adding gym classes and weights thinking I was just out shape! I read kneee surgery in august so I’ve been in a pause for awhile and that was probably a good thing. I was in icu a month ago due to severe regurgitation and couldn’t even walk anymore without my BP jumping to over 200. It’s been a crazy ride and I am ready for the next stop.
Thanks for sharing!

 

[ValveAdmin]

Hello and welcome. All the best for a successful surgery and a quick recovery!

 

[Al3x]

Wow! HM at even 1:37?!? That’s amazing!!! I could only dream!! yes it’s thinking about my daughter that affects me the most emotionally. I also homeschool and that just adds another layer.

My biggest warning symptoms (although even the cardiologist didn’t realize it at the time) was every time I’d do a HM I’d end up in the tent, feeling like I was going to pass out and once I was sent to the ER. Every time I would stop running after a long run I’d feel awful and everyone chalked it up to dehydration (even though my bloodwork was always perfect). I had a bout of super high BP after a half and my then cardiologist told me to take bo meds but wasn’t telling me why this was happening! The only good thing he advised me
Not to run the full last year which probably saved my life.
I miss running so I am anxious to get back. I began feeling like I had asthma even running 2-3 miles slowly (I’m a ) and couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me! Started taking all kinds of supplements, adding gym classes and weights thinking I was just out shape! I read kneee surgery in august so I’ve been in a pause for awhile and that was probably a good thing. I was in icu a month ago due to severe regurgitation and couldn’t even walk anymore without my BP jumping to over 200. It’s been a crazy ride and I am ready for the next stop.
Thanks for sharing!

I really feel for you, it sounds hideous! By the sounds of things, the op should improve your exercise tolerance significantly. As long as you build things up slowly I don't see why you wouldn't be able to get back to it.

The view I took on surgical risk is that in the long run, doing nothing is far riskier. Psychologically it's tough having a date where you know it might be the end, but the odds are very low and it will hopefully give you extra time with your family. If you want an estimate of your personal risk, the STS calculator might help (https://riskcalc.sts.org/stswebriskcalc/calculate).