"Dr. Arcarese is thorough. He wants to start with a conservative approach and honestly tells you all options. I was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis but was asymptomatic via transthoracic echocardiogram. I had a cardiac catheterization and CT angiogram, working up for a potential TAVR.

I was a good candidate but at the time still only 67. The final decision was to have a surgical aortic valve replacement when I became symptomatic which I now am. I'm now scheduled for my annual TTE with Dr. Arcarese which I'm sure the echo will show enough progression to indicate it's time for surgery.

I will be having the SAVR done at the University of Virginia Medical Center."