Deepika's Profile

I was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and scheduled for the Ross procedure on January 20th, 2025. During a routine blood work visit, my family doctor inquired about any other health concerns. At 45 years old, I exercise daily and have been a vegetarian for the past decade, so I was surprised to experience shortness of breath on inclines. I attributed it to aging, but my physician was not convinced and decided to listen to my heart. I mentioned that I had been told about a heart murmur in my early 20s, which had never been an issue since. To my surprise, the murmur was quite loud, prompting an ECHO that revealed severe aortic stenosis. I was advised to undergo surgery sooner rather than later. In disbelief, I began researching the options: mechanical vs. tissue valves. My father, who lives in Abu Dhabi, consulted his cardiologist friend, who connected with Dr. Bhatnagar at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Dr. Bhatnagar, originally from Toronto, connected me with Dr. Maral at Toronto General, who specializes i