Stephen's Profile

I almost passed out at the airport in Vegas May 2016, ER visit uncovered nothing wrong. It happened again the next day, another ER visit again nothing abnormal. The hospital(s) recommended seeing a cardiologist due to high blood pressure readings. The Cardiologist ran a 24 hr, then a 30-day monitor, stress test, and echocardiogram. The echo revealed severe aortic regurgitation. The cardiologist recommended waiting to see if any symptoms show up (not convinced that almost passing out x2 was related). Since the events in May, I noticed significant shortness of breath doing simple things although could walk 4 or 5 miles without feeling terrible. In early November 2016, I passed out completely without warning in very dangerous circumstances. An ER visit showed nothing out of the ordinary but my Cardiologist orders were no driving or operating machinery until after surgery. Shortly after, I had an Angiogram (no blockages, aortic regurgitation confirmed with an estimate of 50% or more leaking back on every beat). My surgery took place on 12/12/16 with an On-X using a mini-sternotomy procedure. I was so impressed with the Bremerton Medical Center and with Dr King and his team.