LittleOwl
Member
Hi everyone! Haven't been on here in a while. New job, new man, been a busy girl... and to be honest it's easier sometimes to not focus so much on what "could" happen.
A little history... My mom, BigOwl, had AVR in April of 2009. We knew I shared her cholesterol issues (Familial Hypercholesterolemia) but since I'd been going to the cardiologist from the age of 16 and having routine tests we hoped I had not inherited the crappy valve issue. But last September during an echocardiogram they found that my aortic valve is failing as well. I was at moderate regurgitation after having a perfect echo about 5 years earlier. I had just turned 31 and I train for 100 mile bike rides and marathon events. The doctor told me that "eventually" I will have to have AVR.
Monday is my follow up exam. I'm trying to stay totally positive but something about the reminder call just sent me into a panic. Of course I hope that it will show very little progression and that it means years until the AVR is necessary. But with my mom's history I cannot help but be scared. Both her surgeries have happened pretty quickly after they found the problem.
Over the last 7 months I've been diligent about monitoring my heart rate while exercising and I have all sorts of cool data from my garmin forerunner to show the doctor. I've written down all of my symptoms (dizziness, shortness of breath, palpitations) in a journal. Is there anything I am missing? I do not want to get into the valve type discussion because to be honest that completely is dependent upon the age I will be at the time of the surgery and any baby making plans. But I am looking for advice on what to ask the doc on Monday and any advice that people who have gone through this can offer!!
Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me! Hope you all are doing GREAT!!!
A little history... My mom, BigOwl, had AVR in April of 2009. We knew I shared her cholesterol issues (Familial Hypercholesterolemia) but since I'd been going to the cardiologist from the age of 16 and having routine tests we hoped I had not inherited the crappy valve issue. But last September during an echocardiogram they found that my aortic valve is failing as well. I was at moderate regurgitation after having a perfect echo about 5 years earlier. I had just turned 31 and I train for 100 mile bike rides and marathon events. The doctor told me that "eventually" I will have to have AVR.
Monday is my follow up exam. I'm trying to stay totally positive but something about the reminder call just sent me into a panic. Of course I hope that it will show very little progression and that it means years until the AVR is necessary. But with my mom's history I cannot help but be scared. Both her surgeries have happened pretty quickly after they found the problem.
Over the last 7 months I've been diligent about monitoring my heart rate while exercising and I have all sorts of cool data from my garmin forerunner to show the doctor. I've written down all of my symptoms (dizziness, shortness of breath, palpitations) in a journal. Is there anything I am missing? I do not want to get into the valve type discussion because to be honest that completely is dependent upon the age I will be at the time of the surgery and any baby making plans. But I am looking for advice on what to ask the doc on Monday and any advice that people who have gone through this can offer!!
Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me! Hope you all are doing GREAT!!!
