Timeframe

[Phil]

Hi All,

I'm seeking some feedback regarding timelines. I was told in Nov 2011 that my aortic valve was in the moderate range and that I would most likely require replacement surgery in 12 months time (surgeon). My cardilogist thought I may get a little more time out of my current human tissue valve. However, I feel as if I'm becoming symptomatic - breathless when going up hills and talking at the same time, dizzy if I get up too quickly, slight swelling in my ankles (it's summertime here, so that may be the reason) and very fatigued. I have a sense that I'm going downhill fast, but am unsure if this is because I know the valve is going south and therefore expect to be feeling the way I do, or if the issues are real and warrant bringing my next ECHO appointment (due in April) forward.

Can people please let me know how quickly they deteriorated (from moderate to severe)? Was it over a number of months or years?

The last time I spoke with my cardilogist he said I shouldn't be experiencing any symptomns, and I'm reluctant to see him earlier, as I fear he already thinks I belong to the worried well.

Many thanks.


Phil.

 

[Freddie]

Phil, I can understand you being reluctant, but going by my pass experiences......don't hesitate on seeing your cardiologist. Get yourself checked out.

There's nothing worse that the unknown.

Please call him/her soon.

 

[Nancy jane]

Phil. No one will take better care of u. Than u. You must become your own advocate
I was in a similar position last August. Cardo man told me to come back in April 2012 for another echo. That he wanted more symptoms. I got my records from him & interviewed 2 surgeons Choose one & am going in for AVR 2-9
If u r at severe & especially if u have symptoms ( I didn't but very bad stenosis) Freddie is right. Either go back to cardio man or get records & let a surgeon see them. There is no need to suffer. We have something that can be fixed !
Good luck. Nancy

 

[markp66]

It's odd how your cardio is talking about surgery in a 12 month time frame but also saying you shouldn't have symptoms.. Even people with mild stenosis can have symptoms. It may be part psychological but as others have said, get it checked out asap.

 

[Boston Tiger]

I think it took 15 months to go from my GP first hearing a heart murmur to the echo that revealed I had severe regurgitation to the follow-up echo (six months later) that revealed that my heart was deteriorating to my actual surgery. I went from having absolutely no symptoms that I was aware of (although they were there) to having some definite symptoms before the surgery. I had MVP with torn cordae, so don't know if the timeline from that would be different from what you are seeing.

 

[Sarah_Louise]

I agree with everyone else, go and see your cardiologist, i've had valves that have been moderate and lasted years (only now started to become severe) and i've had another valve that changed dramastically in 6 weeks!!
Good luck!
Love Sarah xxx