Christian's Profile

I was diagnosed almost 20 years ago with Mitral Valve Prolapse randomly at a physical for a new job. After an Echo was performed after, it was confirmed. I was told then that it probably wouldn’t get better or worse. I had no symptoms that I could feel. I continued to have it checked regularly and it wasn’t until May of 2021 that my cardiologist said it was probably time to do something because of the sever regurgitation that was seen in the latest Echo. I’m 45 and it scared me to death to think of having heart surgery. I pushed to go to the Cleveland Clinic and they were great. Dr. Johnston and his staff performed a MVR - minimally invasive valve repair by repairing my P3 neochord and a ring by Duran. Since surgery I’ve recovered, but I don’t feel as good as I thought I would. I am otherwise healthy, thin and have no other health issues. A follow-up Echo about a month and a half after surgery showed all valves were normal. Former and current runner. Since surgery and healing I have had pvc’s that I’ve been frustrated with. I thought these would go away. Cleveland Clinic nurses recommended I try Magnesium Taurate and it has helped immensely, but they are still there. I am jogging 3-4 miles 4 days a week and I feel okay during that, but sometimes just going up the stairs can tire me out which is odd since I can run and be fine. This has been the most life altering event I’ve been through. I fully expected to be a new man after this and I’m not. I can’t keep my hand off my chest now as I keep wanting to “feel” my heartbeat. I do suffer from some depression and am seeing a therapist for it, but alas I’m still down. I hope by being here and reading other stories it will help.