Thoughts on Upcoming MRI/Stress Test

[MistyK0587]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and wanted some input on some upcoming tests I have in July (hopefully if the hospital will ever get with the program and schedule them). A little background on me - I'm 23 years old (24 on June 16!), have undergone aortic coarctation repair 3 times and had an aortic valve replacement at 4 1/2. At my last appointment my EKG showed a Right Bundle Branch Block (which has always been present) and a Left Anterior Fascicular Block which together make up a bifascicular block. This was apparently present on my EKG last year which nobody bothered to tell which is another issue in itself, but I requested a copy of the EKG this year (I'm in nursing school and had just learned about reading EKG strips) so thus the reason why I was aware of the blocks this time around.

My cardiologist seemed to not be overly concerned because she said the pressure in my valve was fine (although the past two years I was told it was slightly elevated at about 35) but that my heart showed some stiffness with diastole. She wants to set up an MRI to check my aortic root and a stress test due to some shortness of breath/dizziness and general not feeling like I can keep up as I could before with exercise lately. I know this is a lot of information, but any thoughts on possible concerns would be greatly appreciated. I know a repeat surgery is most likely looming in the future but because it will be the first one I'll actually remember and anticipate, it's quite overwhelming. Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Lynlw]

Hi Misty, my son is also 23 and has a MRI and stress test coming up in the next month. He's has different CHDs but has had surgeries eveery few years. He also has had RBBB forever. Were your Coarc repairs all surgery or were they able to open any by cath?
Beside here, you might also like the forums at the adults w/ CHD group too if you haven't already found it the main link is http://www.achaheart.org/ Theree are quite a few members there that know wha it is like to grow up having heart surgeries. Do you go to a Cardiologist that specialises in Adults with CHD? I hope you are able to get some answers. This isn't an excuse but maybe if you had the different blocks for a while, they probably thought you already knew about them so didn't mention them again. I know with everything going on with Justin's heart for the most part we just talk about things that are new or have changed since the last tests.

 

[MistyK0587]

Thanks Lyn for your reply and I am actually a member of ACHA. I will post there as well. Yes, all of my repairs were done via surgery. Currently, for the past 3 years, I have been seen at the Adult Congenital Cardiac Clinic at Emory and to say the least, have been less than impressed. The new block I wrote about was actually there last year but the cardiologist failed to inform me of it. It was only after I requested my EKG this year that I noticed it and it was addressed. I've been told lots of conflicting information since I was first seen there so needless to say, I'm not the most confident in my care. I still have no answers regarding the severity of the situation. My mother is an nurse practitioner and I am in nursing school so with the medical knowledge we do have, I at least know when I deserve to have answers to my questions. My appointments are scheduled for July 1st so I suppose I'll have to wait and see and possibly ask the tough questions if they're not addressed. Thanks for your response and good luck to Justin as well!