Lisa's Profile

Hello all! My story started in 2005 when I had an ECHO to see why I had a murmur. I thought it was a mitral valve murmur but was surprised to find out that all of my valves leak & regurgitate & my aortic valve is bicuspid. I went this fall for a routine checkup & it was decided that a follow up ECHO was needed. The follow up ECHO had some bad words on it. Words like "left ventricular hypertrophy", "dilated left atrium", "mild mitral,tricuspid, pulmonic, & aortic regurgitation", "hepatic vein dilation", "aortic valve is bicuspid with doming", & the two phrases that truly scared me,"moderate aortic valve stenosis" and "at least moderate pulmonary hypertension". After meeting with my Cardiologist, I underwent a cardiac cath on December 2nd. The staff was phenomenal and took excellent care of me. The good news is that no pulmonary hypertension could be found. The bad news is that the aortic valve is indeed at least moderately stenosed. I will meet with my surgeon on Monday December 15th. This has all come as quite a shock to me. I feel good & am in the best shape of my life. I recovered from ACL repair 3 years ago, lost 70+ pounds & became a runner. I love to run. I just did a biathlon in under the time I wanted & placed higher than anticipated. I was preparing to run a 5K at Disney with my daughter & also a 10K. Now I am told to do no physical exertion. I am baffled by this but also, I want my life back and I do not want to worry about sudden cardiac death from a bad valve. I am ready to get a new valve!