Home > Community > Patient News Feed > Jay Burgess

Jay's Posts

Diagnosis: Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Member Since: September 15, 2022

Send Jay a Note

My Posts

Jay Burgess posted an update

4 months ago (December 27, 2025)

A little over 3 years with my new Aortic Valve and Root. Well not that new anymore. Things have been well for the most part. I have plenty of energy when riding my bike and cross country skiing. Lately I have been getting these stupid Ocular migraines again. Low grade... Read more.

Marie Myers

I have a history of migraines with aura, which thankfully have decreased in intensity since my teenage years. I did have dozens and dozens of auras daily in the weeks following my AVR, root, and aneurysm surgery. Even now, It is hard to pinpoint the causes, but dehydration, stress, certain... Read more.

Rose Madura

I have had these since I was a child yet the doctors (both cardiologist and ophthalmologist) say it is not heart related. The ophthalmologist says is from the vitriol gel in the eye that becomes thin as we age. That doesn't explain why I had them when I was young.... Read more.

Jay Burgess

Hi Marie, Iâ€™m on 5mg of statin. Also take thyroid 150mcg and Repatha for lipoprotein issue. I didnâ€™t take my thyroid when I woke for a long time. Wondering if the those is to high now causing some issue. Iâ€™m going to get some bloodwork again. I will keep you... Read more.

John Cook

I occasionally get migraine aura, it was bad in my 20s & 30s. Thankfully, it rarely comes with pain. Once I figured out my triggers were bright lights/sunshine and white computer screens, I rarely have them anymore. When they do happen, I take a couple naproxen and find somewhere dark... Read more.

Deena Z

Jay, Why do you think the heart attack occurred during OHS? I would look further into this issue either through a second opinion re: MRI and/or more tests. You had your arteries tested recently? Better to be safe; rather than hindsight.

Marie Myers

There is always a chance of heart attack during any major vascular surgery or open heart surgery. ( 1-10%). It is easy to dislodge a fragment of plaque, and blood pressure variations can cause issues. I am just surprised no one said anything about that finding.. Unless it happened some... Read more.

Susan Harris

i think there is a bit of a real world clinical trial going on here - many reports of ocular migraines and common theme is valve issues. but every doc seems to say there is no correlation. iâ€™ve long wondered if itâ€™s so one thing docs just never picked up... Read more.

Marie Myers

Thatâ€™s what I think, Susan!

Rose Madura

I agree!

Jay Burgess posted an update

1 year ago (April 4, 2025)

Just an update have been feeling pretty good overall still weird little pains but not breathing issues or anything. I did have an echo done and my LVEF is at 41% for some reason. I had one about 1.5 years ago and it was at 54% I believe. Anyone else... Read more.

Marie Myers

I wonder if some remodeling goes on after surgery, and might take time to normalize the readings. I didnâ€™t have another ECHO till 1 year after surgery, at which time it was normal.

Jay Burgess

Ya I have had two one each year and really they were normal. I wonder if they just didnâ€™t do a good job with this one. They were listening again to it and after seeing how low my LVEF was and said it sounded low then sounded normal. I travel... Read more.

Marie Myers

I hope you get a good result. Let us know what you find out!

Jay Burgess posted an update

2 years ago (February 27, 2024)

Alright just throwing this question out there might be a bit paranoid. Iâ€™m about 1.5 years post open heart surgery. I had both the Aortic Valve and Aortic Root replaced. Iâ€™m getting these weird pains to the left of my heart. Occasionally I get a little numbness in my hands.... Read more.

Jeff Williams

I'm at 7 months and have recently had some that may be similar. Doc believes that it's nerve issues that may or may not go away. It is disconcerting at times though.

J Alexander Lassally

What type of surgery did you have? Thoracotomy or sternotomy?

Matthew Malooly

I'd wager it's a nerve/musculoskeletal thing, especially with you skiing. I got something very similar when I spent a lot of time hunkering over a stationary bike prior to surgery, and after surgery spending too much time in my chair. I'd think especially if you're not having any other breathing... Read more.

Jay Burgess

Ok thanks, no issues breathing or anything so that makes me think just muscle/nerve. It does come and go but just kind of freaks me out a bit. I did put a message into the cardiologist. I had an echo last fall and everything was perfect.

Klara ÄœiäIä‡

Dear Jay, there could be other reasons for your symptoms apart from heart. I thing your GP or cardiologist could do a thorough evaluation to see where the problem comes from (after excluding heart problems, cervical spine problems, carpal canals, thoracic spine....etc) good luck!

Jay Burgess

I have an appointment with PA on Tuesday. Trying to see my cardiologist is pretty hard. I will update you guys with what she thinkgs.

Robert Miller

I did have a couple of valve repairs and never had pain. However, lately, about 2 years past surgery, I sometimes do feel this strange tension around the heart. I contributed it to just muscle pains. However, it seems that at least in my case more is going on. Check... Read more.