it's usually congenital so you've had it since birth, yes? it's usually congenital so you've had it since birth, yes?I am a cardiac anesthesiologist and critical care physician. With all due respect to other posters, if you remain TOTALLY without symptoms, and continue to be so, there is no need to entertain a very large surgery which is an aortic valve replacement. In fact, your age would work the opposite — in other words you would NOT undergo a valve replacement unless you had significant other issues related to this bicuspid valve (stenosis or regurgitation), because artificial valves only last so long, and repeats chest surgery is complicated and dangerous.
If I were you, I would know I had it, follow up on it as needed or at least every year — and see if there is any significant progression. Delay replacement as long as possible provided you don’t have any complications or symptoms of the disease...
Freepmail me if you want or have any other questions. All the best
Untreated? That doesn't sound very high, but something the doctor might want to discuss medicating. Treated, they might want to tweak medication a bit to try to get down.
As for the cholesterol- been a bit of bad press recently about the cholesterol lowering drugs. Not sure if that is a real issue, or something ginned up by plaintiff's lawyers, but I'd be cautious of anything other than a modified diet until that shakes out a little more.
As for the heart - if you are getting it addressed in Turkey, you might want a second opinion at the Cleveland Clinic, as someone else suggested. If you have high confidence in your cardiologist, listen to him or her.
I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve - a life time runner, a slight murmur was detected in a stress test when in my 30’s - cardio said, you are in great shape, nothing to worry about - just keep running.
At 60 the murmur got loud, 2 doc’s said you need to see a cardio.
In 30 seconds the cardio said “you have a bi-cuspid aortic valve” will need replacement in 10 years. Keep running, we’ll do annual echocardiogram.
At 63, no deterioration or stenosis - “you may never need the valve replacement”
At 64, ‘You need valve replacement TODAY or you could die at any moment”. 2nd opinion concurred - I had pig valve plus triple bypass (WHAT! How could that be? I have a runner’s heart - am healthy?”
I’ve had 9 major surgeries - this is the only one I never want again - it was rough.
Here’s the good news: I was home in 3 days, one week from 5 hour surgery I was walking 1 mile/day; in 2 weeks, 3 miles a day; in 3 weeks, 5 miles a day. Ran a full 10k 9 months after surgery - all the grace of God.
At 71 my pig valve (oink, oink) is doing well. I walk 5 miles/day and cycle 12 - 20 miles 3 times/week. I did the 5 miles this am, 18 on bike this afternoon. Stay in shape, eat healthily. Love your wife and family.
Too much here to discuss, past my bedtime - will tell more tomorrow. Will PM my phone number so I can help in any way.
Talk to the doc who posted before me - he will be a great resource and knows far more than me - but I’ve been through it.
Why not a mechanical valve that would outlast me? #1 - didn’t want to be on blood-thinners/Coumadin for the rest of my life - and broccoli is my fav veggie, love carrots. My cardio said when I need a new valve, they won’t have to do open chest surgery, and that is true today.
More later - nite!
Had an artificial valve in 2000. Same diagnosis. Not nearly as bad as I expected, though hope I never do it again.
Dr. will insist on an artificial because of your age. Porcine valves are good for about 10 yrs. Advantage is you don’t have to take warfarin the rest of your life. Monthly ‘pro-time’ checks.
You do with artificial but they don’t wear out.
My artificial valve take a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’. Yes you and people near you can hear it.
Oh, they come with a lifetime guarantee. :)
But “What difference does it make?” It’s better than transverse sinus venous thrombosis.
You should get your bp under control. At 66 yo, I’ve lost weight and now regularly exercise (walk) at least 30 min./day. I was in your condition, but now 120/70 without meds.
My best friend from childhood has the valve leakage since forever. His father is a doctor. He’s fine with no surgery.
My son (23) has a bicuspid aeortic valve and his cardiologist told him that symptoms will tell him when he needs the valve replaced. If stenosis develops he’ll lose stamina making it difficult to walk up stairs, etc. That is when the valve will need to be replaced. BTW, it can be done intravenously now.
Did they say anything about your aortic root? That’s what I’m facing soon. :(
I am an echo tech. I have worked in Cardiology for 30 years with some of the top Cardiologists on the East Coast. The only two things you have to keep track of are the size of your left ventricle (the pump chamber of your heart) and your ejection fraction. (How efficient your heart is pumping) It should always be 55-65. The way to keep track of this is to get an echo every year, and have a good cardiologist! You may never have to do anything further if you are lucky and your aortic valve doesn’t deteriorate too much. The warning signs will be shortness of breath and swelling of your ankles. (Fluid retention) If your Cardiologist tells you it is time for a valve, take his advice! if your heart deteriorates too much, the valve won’t help much. you can’t get your “pump” back after it deteriorates. the good news is math at they are starting to put in valves without opening your chest. In the next few years, if you need one it shouldn’t be a major operation. hope this helps. best Regards!
Any leakage or regurgitation show on the Echo?
Any arythmia?
Going to do a 24 - 72 hour Halter Monitor?
Have relative by marriage cardiologist in Mersin if you need a referral
It’s a regurgitation or prolapse of the mitral which is the only two leafed valve in a normal heart
Unless you’re symptomatic leave it alone
I was born with a bad heart.....a shitstorm heart but I don’t quit
What you have is essentially benign unless the prolapse gets more pronounced and you’ll be symptomatic
Tired and pallid from maybe arterial and venous blood mixing
Maybe some atrial flutter with the HIS conduction bundle getting confused
But if you feel nothing I’d quit worrying about it
{:^@
I had it, now have a replacement mechanical valve. I tick like a clock.
Happy to discuss anything about it.
my brother nearly died with that. Here’s the deal If your aorta is normal and your otherwise in good shape watchful waiting is the way to go. If you go into AFib it could be very difficult to convert. Be very conscious of your health. My brother wound up with pneumonia that caused afib that caused sepsis that forced open heart surgery to fix his aorta and replace the valve. He’s now on blood thinners for ever and will need the valve replaced every 8-10 years. On the cholesterol issue add more veggies and colors of veggies to your diet.