Hi Kathy. Just 2 weeks ago I had my diseased aortic bicuspid valve replaced. I found out about the bicuspid part over 25 years ago. The disease began more than 10 years ago. For me the disease was aortic stenosis, a stiffening of the defective valve. It was a very slow progression and then sped up somewhat significantly there towards the end. There is also a calcification process which is part of the disease and is much like tooth tartar. Sometimes the calcification gets very heavy and the stiffening action is further debilitated. For me, I did not have that much calcification beyond the actual valve so my procedure was quick and (knock on wood) trouble free. Sometimes, rather than having constricted flow, the valve is leaking. That is called regurgitation or AI aortic insufficiency. I should think that would also be considered valve disease, but maybe not. Sometimes there are aneurisms, or tearing of parts of the aortic system. Again, is this called disease? I would think so as they are conditions which over time can get worse.
It would help us to help you if you would please get a copy of your most recent echo report. I did not do that over the years, and was not able to recreate my progression completely (something only I was personally curious about). We can help you read it, answer some questions, and help you develop new lists of questions for your cardio. Once you understand things better you will find that you won't be anywhere near as freaked out as you were at the beginning.
Good luck and keep posting!
Marguerite
