Marian's Profile

I have had a mitral valve prolapse, diagnosed when I was in college. I have always been active and swam competitively. My specialty was endurance swimming-the 1/2 and 1 mile events. To this day I have much stamina and find another gear the more I exert myself. I have also had a racing heart rate which I was previously told was tachycardia. Consequently, I have always had a relationship with a cardiologist. Over the last two or so years I have been monitored more closely with more frequent echocardiograms. During this time I have been experiencing pounding in my chest as a result of exertion. I hike a lot and love uphills and rock scrambles.. I have always thought the pounding was common in anyone and that's just another thing that happens as you age. I am now 67. In August it was suggested I wear a Zio monitor, and as a result, the pounding I have been experiencing is Afib from mitral valve regurgitation and atrial enlargement. Hence, I have been meeting with surgeons to explore options for repair. I kind of want to just get on with it. I spend most all my time in the outdoors, when I am not working as a professional and Life and Leadership Coach. As a result, I have a long-term relationship with recurring Lyme Disease and associated co-infections, which may in some way have contributed to my valve issues. I am the daughter of a successful operating room director, who spent most of her time in heart surgeries. She even traveled to Texas with a team who worked with Dr. DeBakey and then brought surgery procedures back to NJ. There was no shortage of stories from the OR and heart surgeries growing up in my house. I am actually fascinated myself by this amazing work horse of a muscle and my upcoming surgery, although I prefer hearing about it without my name attached! I have arrived at a clear path forward for surgery and am confident in my journey and all that unfolds.