Diane's Profile

In 1986 (age 23), I was surprised to be diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse at a routine physical. I had just moved to NYC from Philadelphia, right out of college. I've never had any symptoms. Soon after I moved to Chicago in 1989 I decided it would be smart to see a cardiologist, so I went to the main library and used the Best Doctors in America reference book to find one -- best decision ever. I chose Dr. Robert Bonow and began seeing him annually. Twenty years after diagnosis (2006) he began hearing a murmur, so that's when the annual echocardiograms began. In 2010 I progressed to annual stress echoes. Still no symptoms, but on Sept. 29, 2017 (age 54) I was told my murmur was now in the "severe" category and repair surgery was recommended. Even though I've been nervous, it's been helpful for me to have this time to research, plan and wrap my head around this. Peggy Huddleston's book "Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster" has made a huge difference in helping me calm and more relaxed.