About Me (In My Own Words)
I have known about my bicuspid valve for sometime. I have been working hard with diet and lifestyle to avoid this day. I have been vegan for 10 years and I really think that along with being an athlete really helped delay the need for replacement. I also have an issue with plaque but in the last 3 years have figured out how to reverse this with a drug called Repatha and also started taking a little crestor. So being vegan and these has reversed my plaque significantly. I had my coronary angiogram and only had 30% plaque in one artery so that was good news. Last thing I want is to have open heart surgery ever again. I just want tavr for the next one. In the past when I had chest xray of my heart for plaque I always fell in the 90%. At least I have that going for me!!!
I’m super healthy, active but lately have been starting to feel a bit winded some headaches heavy head etc. My father had a bicuspid valve and had 3 open surgeries from it. Ultimately his heart failed since they couldn’t do a 4th one I don’t know why. I really wanted to avoid this whole surgery thing until I was in my 70’s but no luck. The only luck is the technology has come along way and hopefully when I need a new valve it will even be that much better.
I get echo’s yearly but recent my valve has significant stenosis. My aortic root is enlarge to about 45mm. They are not sure if that needs to be replaced and will decide once they are in there. I’m getting a bovine valve as my first choice or porcine valve with aortic root attached. The hope is I’m good for the next 15 years. I’m 55. That is my story I’m really hoping I recover quickly and back to a normal life.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Boulder, Colorado
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My surgery date is:
September 23, 2022
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I was diagnosed with:
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Aortic Aneurysm Replacement
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Daniel O’Hair
