Mark's Profile

Never had any heart issues nor did doctors say they heard anything of concern my entire life. When I was 46 I went to a new primary doctor on Jan 30, 2018 and he heard a loud murmur and hurried an echocardiogram. The cardiologist rushed me to see her after reviewing the results. Because of a bicuspid valve, the results were the sinus of Valsalva (root) measuring in the range of 6.3 cm. The ascending thoracic aorta tapered beyond measuring 4.6 cm at the level of the right main pulmonary artery. I'm very healthy and enjoy exercising with weights. I thought I didn't feel any symptoms but looking back I now see the warning signs. I was more scared about the recovery and how the mechanical replacement will hinder my life with lifting weights and objects around the house. It was about a month from discovery to surgery. This is what I had done: 1. Replacement of ascending aorta. 2. Bentall procedure, aortic root replacement with a 25 mm On-X mechanical valve conduit.