Debra's Profile

I have had a heart murmur all my life. No Dr. had, in the past, ever looked into it any further. About 2 months ago, I had a voluntary CT scan to check for calcium in my heart valves and arteries because of my family history of heart disease and high cholesterol. It came back with no calcium but showed that I have an ascending aortic aneurysm at 4.2 CM. My mother died from an aneurysm. I then saw a cardiologist who set me up for another ct with contrast, echocardiogram and stress test. He said the aneurysm would be checked every year to see if it gets any bigger and do a surgical procedure once it does. He said worse case scenario, valve replacement. (Also due to the fact that my mother also had congenital valve disease leading to a valve replacement.) Following the echo, I saw the Dr. for my stress test. He cancelled the test and said that I have severe aortic stenosis and will need that valve replaced. So, here we are at "worst case scenario". I then had a heart catherization. Yea! No blockages. I have seen a surgeon (Dr. Katz) to do the valve replacement. He suggests complete open heart surgery to replace the valve (bovine), repair the aneurysm and do an ablation for prevention of AFIB. He has a new partner starting June 15th who does a less invasive OHS. He can do the surgery with a smaller incision and possibly no need for blood thinners. I am so relieved at this prospect. I will meet with him and schedule the surgery which will hopefully take place in the next few weeks. The waiting is the hard part along with the anxiety associated with my condition. I am 61 years old and I feel thankful every day this was discovered. I am ready to live the rest of my life feeling like a teenager!!