Nancy's Profile

I just found out that I had a heart murmur in June and my primary care doctor on my wellness checkup requested an Electrocardiogram. It showed that my aortic valve was regurgitating which I didn't understand, but my doctor referred me to a cardiac surgeon at Stroobant's Cardiovascular Center here in Lynchburg and when I met with him he explained that I needed a valve replacement. I was alone when I got this news which was horrible - hard to drive home after breaking down in the car when I called my husband and when he said is everything ok, I just bawled....That night tension started in my left shoulder and the whole next day, my chest felt so tight I could hardly breath, by evening I was sweating so my husband insisted I got to Urgent Care - they immediately did an EKG and it had some minor bleeps....so they insisted I get ambulanced to the hospital I resisted but gave in. They ran typical ER tests and also did a CT Scan and Carotid Artery test. They kept me in overnight for observation and decided to do the Heart catherization outpatient the next week. I had that done and my arteries and veins are clear. So now I see my surgeon this coming Thursday July 27 to see what the next step is. I do want to get a second opinion and have been trying to find out what that process is so if anyone has info on that - it would be appreciated. I'd like to see if I can get a less invasive procedure but the doctor did say that it would be full blown open heart surgery. I have a lot of questions written down for my appointment. Any advice would be appreciated. I'm scared and am trying to be brave and strong - but it's hard - feel very alone in this. Thanks!!