About Me (In My Own Words)
I am a 41 year old wife and mother to 4 children. 2 boys and 2 girls ages 12, 8, 4, & 2. We live in Saint Augustine, FL. My 4 year old daughter also has a BAV that was found at 7 months through an echo for a murmur. This next year I will have my other children checked as well.
Last year September I went in for a checkup as I was feeling an unhealthy tired. Not a mom to 4 tired. It was hard to explain. My blood pressure was pretty high and my Dr heard a murmur I never had before. She ran an EKG and it was abnormal. So she sent me to the cardiologist. After several tests we discovered I have a Bicuspid Aortic Valve. It had a moderate to severe leak. My aortic root was dilated to 4.2cm and my left ventricle was at a 45% ejection fraction. So I went back in 6m and everything was approx the same so I got another 6 months. Dr ran an echo and sent me for heart cath. After the echo the Dr called, this time my regurgitation was severe, ejection fraction 35-40% and my cardiologist was concerned about the size my heart being so large now. So he added a TEE to the heart cath. That was Oct 14th. My cardiologist referred me that day. I had a surgeon consultation on Oct 28th with the surgeon I was referred and a week later I scheduled surgery for Nov 12.
*update*
8 weeks post op and my bovine tissue valve is doing great. Not even a tiny leak and heat enlargement is down. However my cardiomyopathy is worse with my ejection fraction now at 30-35%. One side of my heart is barely pumping. So looking into either a pacemaker or defibrillator. Appt the end of Jan. to discuss.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
ST AUGUSTINE, Florida
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My surgery date is:
November 12, 2014
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Robert Still
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My hospital is:
Baptist Heart Hospital
