Looking for others in the pre-surgery phase for discussion

[Heart Of The Sunrise]

I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve.
It is severely thickened and calcified.

Just found out about this.

My left ventricle is somewhat enlarged.

My ascending aorta is dilated 4.5 cm.......

Next up is a heart catherization and a trans-espochegeal-echocardiogram. on December 4th.

Many reasons for optimism, my blood pressure is consistently good and my health is good.
I am asymptomatic with the heart issues.....no pain...all good!

Surgery will be sometime after New Years. AVR and AR.

Just looking to learn about experiences of those who are going through preparations forsurgery and post surgery experiences.


Heart Of the Sunrise

 

[Duffey]

Hi, and welcome.
If you read the pre-surgery and post-surgery forums, I think you will find many posts that deal with preparations before avr and experiences afterwards.
Are you looking at both aortic valve replacement and aortic repair? What's your age, if you don't mind sharing?
Looking forward to hearing more as you get closer to surgery.

 

[Heart Of The Sunrise]

Duffey:

I earn my living as an engineer...so I approach my heart issues as an engineering project. I want to learn as much as I can about the whole process....pre and post surgery as well as mechanical vs tissue valves. I am 56 and will be looking at valve replacement and aorta repair.

I feel lucky that I learned about this being that I am completely asymptomatic.

The woman who did my ultasound a month ago has a husband who needed some heart issues resolved.. her quote I will never forget.

She said her husband stated: " I did not know how bad I felt until I felt better!"

Thanks,

Heart of the Sunrise

 

[Duffey]

One tip: keep copies of all test results so you can track #'s over time.
I have all mine from the time I was first diagnosed, age 49, through my last scheduled echo, age 60.
Surgery doesn't necessarily mean the end of the road for valve/aorta issues. You will probably spend the rest of your life checking on the "maintenance" aspect of your new valve.