Lauren's Profile

My name is Lauren Burt. I am 41 years old, wife and mother of 2 children. Back in May 2015, I was diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse and severe regergitation which would require open heart surgery to repair the valve. I also had to have Complete sternal reconstruction at the same time. This was due to a condition I was born with called Pectus Excavatum in which the sternum caves in and mine was essentially crushing my heart. The news was rather shocking to say the least. I graduated college with a degree in Exercise Science and went on to do personal training and nutrition counseling. I am and always have been extremely health conscious. I work out most days of the week for an hour to an hour and a half and eat very healthy. So when I went in for a routine physical and a heart murmur was detected I wasn't sure what to think. I had no symptoms and am fairly young and healthy and the Dr. wasn't too concerned but referred me to a cardiologist to have it further investigated. I went to that apt. Within the next 2 days and that was when I was told I had mitral valve prolapse with severe regergitation and that I would need open heart surgery to repair or replace my valve as well as chest reconstruction to relieve the pressure from my sternum off my heart. He went on to say I should do this within the next month or the outcome would not be good. No dr. Had ever performed both procedures at the same time on an adult before so a lot of consulting went on between several cardiologists and thoracic surgeons determining the best approach to take on my case. Two surgeons performed the operation and it took 9 hours. The surgery went well but I did receive 2 blood transfusions and had a collapsed lung. Recovery was challenging but it made me so much stronger physically and mentally! I am 7 months out and I feel 100% back to normal! I can run 5 miles and feel even better then before my surgery!