Steven's Profile

Bi-Cuspid Aortic Valve: Stable, moderate regurgitation and no signs of stenosis. Distended Ascending Aorta. 51 mm at widest. Over the years I had been told that I had a heart murmur, but it was always as an aside, an "Oh by the way..." and the doctors didn't seem too concerned about it. About 12 years ago now I went on a back-country skiing and camping weekend with a group of friends and one of my sons. On it I had an incident where I was caught in snow up to my chest as I tried to maneuver a sled up from a frozen lake to our camp site. I had an episode of asthma which was unusual as I was an established distance runner, but this was extreme exertion. A nurse who was on the trip gave me a puffer and I saw a doctor on my return who focused on the murmur and (wrongly) diagnosed me with cardiac asthma. Subsequent investigations determined that I had a bi-cuspid aortic valve and I joined this community. Gosh, I'm old! But the valve was stable and over the years remained stable. A little over 4 years ago I had my regular echo-cardiogram and they found that my ascending aorta was enlarged. Thus I embarked on another roller-coaster journey of specialist visits. The surgeon at that time recommended waiting as I was at about 48 mm. So we waited. In the meantime that little spot of bother with the pandemic occurred, I lost my job. We picked up stakes and moved to the wet coast. I decided that I would retire. Life went on. And now... well, valve is still mostly stable, the aneurysm is 51.5 mm and it seems like it's time to talk surgery. I'm baaaack!