Wayne Shields - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

1 day ago

Thinking a lot about surgery lately. I’m not scheduled for anything yet and have my next echo in just over a month, Jan 2025. I think this will be the third ...Read more

Thinking a lot about surgery lately. I’m not scheduled for anything yet and have my next echo in just over a month, Jan 2025. I think this will be the third one in a year and so far no significant change. I bike to work ans often as I can and the last couple weeks it seems harder to catch my breath and this has me nervous and makes me wonder if it’s time for surgery the echo in January will obviously give me more info.

Wondering what others experiences might have been.

Rose Madura Wayne, I had a bicuspid aortic of valve which was further damaged from a bout of rheumatic fever at a ... Read more

Rose Madura Wayne, I had a bicuspid aortic of valve which was further damaged from a bout of rheumatic fever at age 7. In 2017 at age 59, I had it replaced with a tissue valve and also had an aneurysm and root repair. I didn't think I was symptomatic and attributed my symptoms as just getting older. When my cardiologist retired and I switched to a new one after 2nd opinion, I was told now is the time and don't put it off at all. I was planning to retire in June and this was in April. So I retired early and had the surgery. So it you are experiencing some symptoms, the time may be getting closer. The echo will help determine this. I'm sorry if I was too wordy. God bless you on this journey and please keep us updated. Ask any questions and we'll be happy to help. 👍

Marcus Krauss Wayne, I also had a bicuspid aortic valve that was recently replaced at age 46 with a Ross Procedure. ... Read more

Marcus Krauss Wayne, I also had a bicuspid aortic valve that was recently replaced at age 46 with a Ross Procedure. I had no physical symptoms prior to surgery, but the valve regurgitation had been severe for 3-4 years, and my left ventricle was enlarged past the point of recommending surgery. I'm glad that I got the procedure done before I developed symptoms, and while I'm still pretty young. My recovery has been pretty quick and easy because of this. Obviously your upcoming ECG will show what shape your heart is in right now, but if it gets to a point where the cardiologist is recommending you see a surgeon, delaying it won't do you any favors. You'll never be as young as you are right now, and postponing a few more years can make your recovery more difficult, and may make it so that even after your heart gets repaired it's too late for it to make a full 100% recovery.

Dan Fouratt Wayne, I lived with a BAV 27 years. I slowly progress from mild stenosis to moderate over 25 years ... Read more

Dan Fouratt Wayne, I lived with a BAV 27 years. I slowly progress from mild stenosis to moderate over 25 years and then jumped to severe in the final 2. I had no symptoms but failed a stress test. At 63 I have a bovine valve inserted in March with no issues. In the before the surgery I really did not think much about it as I could not control it. Yearly I saw my doc and he always made a joke about the day he could put a pig valve in me. I always felt if I continued to monitor it nothing would get bad. Keep doing what you are doing and it will be alright.