About Me (In My Own Words)
I am 68 years old and had no idea that I had a bicuspid valve that needed to be replaced! I have always been very active, have run a few marathons and half marathons, and now love to play pickleball 3 or 4 times a week. In the past year, I started feeling some dizziness when I stood up, but never thought that had anything to do with my heart. I thought it was just my blood pressure getting a little too low. Then in June of last year, I passed out in church and went to the ER. The Dr. in the ER told me I had a murmur that I should get checked out. I had maybe heard that many years ago, but no one else had mentioned it over the last 20 years or so. Fast forward 6 months, I went to a new PCP. She checked me out and said everything sounded fine. I was just about to leave when I said, "By the way, did you hear a murmur?" She said no...but got an amplified stethoscope and listened again. Now she heard it! She said it's very faint, but you ought to get it checked out. She referred me to a cardiologist, who did an echocardiogram which showed severe aortic stenosis at 65%! I sure am glad they found it when they did.
Needless to say, I was shocked. He told me I needed to get my aortic valve replaced in the first part of 2025. After talking to quite a few people, I decided to go to Dr. Katherine Harrington at Baylor Scott & White Heart Hospital in Plano. She said I needed it soon, and offered me TAVR, a "mini-SAVR," or a full sternotomy. I chose the mini-SAVR, as she explained some possible complications with TAVR and a bicuspid valve and I liked the idea of a smaller incision. She told her nurse to find her first open date for surgery, and we scheduled it for 2 weeks later. We can save the TAVR procedure for my later years when I might not be able to tolerate the open heart procedure as well.
I had the mini SAVR done 4 weeks ago today! I received a bovine tissue valve. I had some anxiety about what open heart surgery was going to be like, but I must admit it wasn't nearly as bad as I anticipated. I am happy to report that I am doing well and moving along well in my recovery. My CV surgeon and the team at Baylor Scott & White Heart Hospital in Plano were great. I spent 4 nights in the hospital, then came home and started walking every day. I have rarely missed a day and feel almost back to normal. I started cardiac rehab last week and was cleared to start driving again today.
I appreciate the information I received on this website. I did a lot of research, and this website was very helpful. I will come back an add to my story when I am a little further down the recovery road!
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Shreveport
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My surgery date is:
February 20, 2025
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
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