Michael's Profile

I diagnosed my own murmur at age 25 in medical school. I was asymptomatic and athletic. I followed with cardiologists for the next 17 years. I switched to a new cardiologist (Jim Fang now in Oregon) after my cousin had a heart attack on a golf course and ended up in a coma. She's OK now. The new doc ordered an MRI of my chest (I never had anything but echocardiograms) because he was worried about Marfans. Not only was my aortic valve in bad shape but I had a hidden 6cm aneurysm of my ascending aorta. I was advised to have urgent surgery. I interviewed doctors at the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals of Cleveland. I also spoke to a heart surgeon friend in Miami, FL. At 43, I did not want anticoagulants. I did a lot of research into valve choices. The Freestyle aortic valve has an excellent safety record, has no artificial stents (like most bovine and porcine valves), and does not require anticoagulants. It is essentially a pure pig valve. The CCF at the time would not offer this valve, UHC's Dr. Markowitz did. His operative record is exceptional and his complication rate was lowest in the city. I looked at numbers from the Quality Officer from both hospitals in town. I likely would have had great results from the CCF, but I was so comfortable with Dr. Markowitz, I went with UHC. Studies of Freestyle patients a decade and more out are still looking good. Any tissue valve is not going to last forever and those of us with them (whatever type) will need replacement in the future. Be prepared for that. My surgery couldn't have gone smoother. No complications, quicker than average recovery, and I am still on no medications 4 years out rom surgery. I treasure my new life and the energy that my surgery created. I do triathlons, endurance running and have more energy than when I was 25. All of us will have a different experience. We enter surgery at different ages, health levels, and anxiety levels. Count your blessings and realize that we live in an unbelievable country with technology to save and prolong our lives. My advice is to look close to your home, there are experts in most of our back yards. Medical marketing can be misleading. Stories on this site are very helpful. We have very serious problems with our hearts and there will always be risks. Do some research, talk to other patients, and finally find peace with your decision.