Results are in

[themalteser]

Just finished my cardiologist appointment today, and basically these are the results:

Very hight BP, 180/78 - he told me that this is because I was very, very, very anxious! I'm currently on 25mg Atenolol twice a day.

Aortic root and aorta size is the same as 6 months ago - 4.5cm the root.

Valve is leaking a little bit more (Aortic valve which is bicuspid) - He told me that he cannot hear the leak through the stetoscope though, which means it's a mild leak.

He said that it is probable that I will require surgery in the future, but at the moment, there is nothing that needs doing - he told me that I can carry on with my normal activities and to see me in a year time, he said even 2 years, but, he understand my anxiety, so will see me in a year. He mentioned that the risk of dissection at someone with my aortic size...."is very very very low..."

Well, I am releived!... I'm going to book a 2 week holiday to Malta now, and probably will start thinking about changing my job, as this hospital I work for, is stressing me alot!!! - I need to change my life.....

 

[Madsometimes]

Sounds good to me. Are you going to have any extra treatment for your bp, or does the doctor think it's white coat hypertension?

 

[themalteser]

Hi Madsometimes,

Thank you for your reply.

Doc thinks it is white coat hypertension, he told me to stay on the 25mg atenolol morning and evening. He said that the bottom number is absolutely normal, the systolic number is very high, and therefore this means anxiety rather than an underlying issue

 

[escargome]

Wonderful news! Now, book that vacation, enjoy your family. If finding a new job will work to remove you from so much stress, then by all means do that also. Live, love, laugh.....

 

[Madsometimes]

Enjoy your holiday. You will get to escape from the constant rain!

 

[epstns]

Good news! Now you can rejoin your life. Don't let it go by without being an active participant - you've earned it!

 

[Tdot]

New guy

New guy

Hi everyone, I'm new here and have been following this thread, finally got my account activated. Look like a great site and I'm now glad to be a part if it. Quick intro: I'm 30 was diagnosed with BAV 5 years ago also have a dilated root at 43mm and the valve working fine. I'm worried about this as well but getting better, get anxious before my yearly echoes (coming up Monday). Became aware of the dilated root only 2 years ago. My cardiologist said it went from 40 to 42 to 44 so he sent me for an MRI and its actually 43. Also the MRI showed the rest of my aorta to be ok. At last years appointment the echo measured 42 so I know for sure it's been stable for 2 years. Also the measurement of 40 was done at a different place and different tech so I wonder if it could have actually been 43 as well or if it actually grew?

I also experienced a lot of panic attacks and stress when it went from 40 to 43 ( if in fact it did grown) do you think that could have caused it to get bigger?

In any case I was in the same situation as themalteser and can relate. Although I get anxious before appointments the stress and anxiety are gone, I didn't even think About it this year up to now. Worry about something you cannot control is a waste of life. The other argument I made to myself is there is a 1-2% chance of dying in a car accident and 25% chance of dying of cancer In a lifetime so why worry about the heart thing any more than that?

Anyway my two cents. Hope to chat to some of you soon

 

[Fundy]

Its hard not to get a little anxious after finding out about such a medical condition. But as you say, its not too bad once you put things into perspective. On one hand its bad luck, but on the other its good luck that you found the problem before it became deadly. And real lucky that there's surgical intervention that solves the problem in a not too troublesome way.

From what I hear, an echo measurement on the aorta is only accurate to about 2mm anyway. So a 44mm measurement could actually be a 42mm or a 46mm. Also that a MRI is more accurate for measuring anneurysm than an echo.

When the time actually does come for OHS, as brutal as the procedure is on the body it usually turns out to not be so bad if everything goes well. But then again for some it doesn't go so well.

 

[epstns]

I think I can speak for some of us who had bumpy roads to recovery when I say that, looking back, it wasn't all THAT bad. Yes, it may have been discouraging. It may have been a bit embarrassing. It may even have had its scary moments. But, at least in my case, given time it has all worked out quite well. I still have that silly lump on my chest where the pacemaker lies, but I've been "using" it less and less. I've been working with my cardio to adjust my meds and have addressed a few other medical issues, and I have to say that I feel better now than I did at 2 years before surgery. My point is that the vast majority of patients will recover to a better quality of life, given a moderate amount of time and the will and drive to get things right.

Fundy, you're right not to "candy-coat" it, but we should be fair and tell the folks in The Waiting Room that if they persevere with their care team, they can do it.