Tom's Profile

I was diagnosed with bicuspid aortic stenosis in 2016 at age 50. After a routine physical showed my heart murmer to be louder from the previous year. I was referred to the cardio dept. After an echo I found out then that I was born with a bicuspid valve, and never knew. I had no prior symptoms. I had a second opinion at the Mayo clinic in Rochester MN , and since having the second opinion, I have been monitoring yearly. My latest testing (January 2019) show I'm now just entering the severe range, with some cardiac impairment from my last treadmill stress test in 2018. My cardio has recommended a top notch heart surgeon, along with some more testing prior to surgery. I will need aortic valve replacement. I will be getting an "ON-X" mechanical valve, b/c of my young age. One and done I hope. Not thrilled about being on blood thinners for life but I I will adapt. The thought of OHS scares the hell out of me, but if I want to live, it has to be done. Not much choice in this curve ball life has tossed me. No pain , no gain right? I have a lot of living left to do!!