Prince's Journal

Greg Lewis  Hi Prince. I had a bicuspid Aortic valve from birth. I lived a great, normal life, until they found that i had it, at age 40. They then monitored it yearly for 15 more years until they had to change the valve, and put in a pig valve at age 55. I think i am mostly ok now. So....i am not your sons doctor, but my experience tells me its a yes for each of your questions  😁

Klara Čičić  Dear Prince, I can only imagine how you feel right now. I am so sorry you have to deal with this after such a joyous occasion as childbirth. I know it all sounds terrible right now, but many people here will confirm that you can have a wonderful, filled life with bicuspid aortic valve. Yes, he may require some kind of surgery later in life, but medicine is advancing so fast in this field, it is apsolutely amazing. Maybe even open heart surgeries will be a past, there is a chance they will find a way to do a repair of replacement via the catheter in a hand vessel...it is already an option for some! Please know that there is a way for modern medicine to help him. Focus on this positive thought.
I was born with faulty mitral valve. I have had a wonderful life, have three kids, finished university with no problem. Now, shortly after surgery my life is about to get even better... It's all about the attitude. I could have cried about it when my peers did sport like sprinting in school, and I didn't, when they rarely needed to see a doctor, and I already had medical record of a 60 year old haha, but did it stop me to be happy and grateful for my life? No. I can thank that to my mum who never made it big of a deal. I hope you as a parent can find strength to look at the situation realistically and optimistically. It will all be fine

Timothy Andre  Prince, I believe about 1-2% of the population has a bicuspid aortic valve. Mine was discovered at birth after having my first OHS at 7 days old. I was and am still active. I did sports through college and now stay active as an adult. I have lived a normal life until surgery at 45 years and will continue to live a normal life after. Most people live with bicuspid valves and don't know about it until a doctor discovers it later in life. Be thankful that you are aware of it now so he can be monitored. Like Klara said, medicine is advancing extremely fast and by the time your son needs intervention the possibilities will be many. I know as a parent it must be difficult to hear this news. The great thing is that his bicuspid valve is not rare and there are many great heart doctors that can and will take care of your son when needed. God bless you

Marie Myers  I was very active through my childhood and adult life with an undiscovered bicuspid valve. I had surgery at 63 for mine, and some people never need surgery. Your doctor will provide the information you need now. 

Andrew Dial  Hi Prince, I was born with bicuspid aortic stenosis. I lived completely normal life growing up, playing sports, (although they did not wanting me playing football if I remember correctly) and I had no symptoms till about age 31. Finally had my Ross Procedure at 33. His doctors will keep a very close watch on him for the first months/years. Everything is gonna be OK. We are all here for support if you need us. 

Subhash Chandel  Hello Prince. bicuspid aortic valve doesn't present any problem by itself. They are just high risk of aortic stenosis (AS), aortic regurgitation (AR) or aortic aneurysm (AA). Doctors are not going to fix bicuspid valve unless they found a moderate or severe case of AS/AR/AA too along with it. If your son doesn't have AS/AR/AA, they will usually ask to get echo every 2 or 5 years to see any signs of AS/AR/AA. People with active lifestyle, normal BP and no/mild cases of AS/AR/AA (even with bicuspid aortic valve) may never need to be operated. Usually AS/AR/AA develop late after 30 or 40 yrs or above. In today's age, surgeries have above 95% success rate. In summary, don't worry too much. Arnold Schwarzenegger was born with bicuspid valve. He is still going strong.

Steven Methot  Prince...  I am 64.  I was a distance runner (marathons and over 3 dozen half marathons).  I have a bi-cuspid valve.  Most people who have one don't know they have one until they're well into adulthood.  Just continue monitoring his heart and with surgery all shall be well.

Rose Madura  I too was born with a bicuspid valve and didn't need surgery until I was 59.  During childhood, I was not allowed to participate in organized sports but that didn't stop me from being very to active. Everyone is different. Just listen to the doctors. God bless you. You must be so scared.

Kristian M.  Hey Prince, I was born with bicuspid valve and didn’t know about until the age of 33, lived a normal and very active lifestyle. Surgery at age 36 when my condition became severe. Like others have said, there is even a possibility that your son may not even need surgery, its important to monitor the condition.

Jay Heagerty  Prince, I too had a bicuspid valve that was replaced last year at age 59. I suffered no symptoms until two weeks before my surgery. Consider it a blessing that you know and can monitor it accordingly. Best of luck to you and your son.

Earl Brigham  Prince - I have had a bicuspid valve for 59 wonderful years and played sports through it all...  Heck, I drive a top alcohol dragster at 260 miles an hour...  Yes, he will be fine, he will be able to play sports, and by the time he needs a new valve, it will probably be a 1 day outpatient procedure...  

Prince Kumar  All of you people who are unknown to me and yet you all became my close ones in an instant. I am thankful to all of you. Your own experiences and words have given me strength. I dont have words how thankful i am for your support. I am uploading his echo report. Please do see and with your experiences do enlighten me...

Greg Lewis  Good day, Prince. Some things are really in the doctors domain to explain to you. This is one of those. So please see your doctor about this.

Steven Methot  Prince, as Greg says your doctor will know more, but there is one thing that I would take to them and have them explain to you.  Valves themselves can be bi-cuspid and show no symptoms.  It's what is called "regurgitation" or flow of the blood back into the heart that can cause issues.  The word that leaps out to me (and I am NOT a doctor) is stenosis, and that is something that can be a concern and why so many here will be having surgery.  Speak to your doctor and have them explain the implications of the stenosis and their prognosis.