Joe's Profile

During a high school football physical my doctor found a small aortic aneurysm. Around that time my dad was diagnosed with the same and had successful open heart surgery to take care of it. Fast forward 17 years and I'm 35 preparing to finally take care of this demon in my chest! After an ECHO and CT scan they found my bicuspid valve has significant calcium build-up so I'm facing the incredibly difficult decision of mechanical vs biological valve replacement. Please tell me folks, how does one decide!? I'm coming down to the wire trying to get everything in line before I go under. It's been helpful to hear other personal accounts of heart valve replacement surgery therefore I find it important to document mine here to help spread the awareness. Glad to know I'm not alone.