:wave:
I am 44 yo female. I was diagnosed with AS about 18 mos. ago. Valve replacement was immediately recommended, but I have elected to do nothing at this time. First, I can't deal with others knowing my lifestyle habits could have led to this and then they start treating me and feeding me differently. I want to eat all the "sin" foods I have all my life. Also, I have several other life-threatening conditions that I ignore...high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, severe sleep apnea. Same story, I don't want to change how I live my life because of some disease. I have secretly made a pact with myself that if I win the lottery, I will consent to anonymously check myself into an out of state hospital to have the valve surgery without my family knowing. I know this sounds crazy, but it is the ONLY way I will ever treat my AS. Currently, my main problem is shortness of breath, so I just sit around a lot.
Any feedback?

First off :what is AS? I am guessing Aortia Stenosis? WHY would you not want the valve replacement if they suggested it? I have Mitral Stenosis, and it has become more and more upsetting to me that they are suggesting a possible 5 year wait before doing my valve replacement. I dont think I need it now, as I am asymptomatic, but I dont want to wait until like you I am short of breath. I dont want to wait until I am so tired I cant go to work or do what I need to do for my family. Maybe I need to have a more care less approach like you, but I found out last Nov that I needed valve replacement and I have been freaking ever since!!

Mileena

AS is aortic stenosis.
As I said, if I have the replacement, which at this time NO ONE in my family knows is needed, then they may discover that my poor eating habits contribute and/or cause this. Then people will start treating you differently whether you want them to or not. They will become the food police for you. That is my number one reason.
Secondly, I have no insurance. Just built a new house and would never want to jeopardize losing that. I'd as soon die as return to the low level of housing we were in before realizing this dream.
Quality over quantity. Rather have a few good months than years in a crappy situation. That's about the sum of it.

I want to tell you what my cardio told ME: NOTHING I did caused my stenosis....NOTHING I can do will change it or slow it down. It moves at its own pace. IF eating right or even exercising would keep me from one day having to have open heart surgery I would do it without question. Having a stenotic valve is NOTHING to be ashamed of, and I really am wondering where you might have gotten that kind of impression. My Cardio told me it was caused by having untreated rhuematic fever as a child...which is why it is somtimes referred to as Rhuematic Heart Disease.....PLEASE look it up and get the help you need. I believe you are uninformed about this and you need to read up on it. How in the world does food and overeating have anything to do with stenosis???? How in the world would changing your eating habits now that you have it have anything to do with it? IS it because they might have told you (as they did me) that you have some calcuim build up on your valve? Thats pretty normal I think...my valve is also "stiff" from calcium...however Stenosis is NARROWING of the valve....and IS NOT related to diet at all!! I cannot stress that enough. I cant help you with the financial side of it...but I will tell you this:::: Your chances of survival without intervention is not good. I have researched it. PLEASE research it for yourself and change your cardio if you need too for help. I care. I am in the same boat! YOU didnt do this to yourself! Trust me!
Mileena

For some perspective:
If calcium deposits build up on the aortic valve, the valve becomes hardened (calcified) over time. When this occurs, the leaflets do not open normally and the volume of blood ejected from the left ventricle is reduced. The heart's ability to supply the body with blood decreases, and blood backs up into the lungs. This would be congested heart failure as the lungs fill with fluids. I experienced that and you do not want to go there.

My valve problem is mitral valve regurgitation, but the results are the same...insufficient blood/oxygen to meet oxygen demand and fluids back up into the lungs (edema)

From what I read, the most common cause of aortic stenosis is calcification of the aortic valve. Degeneration of the valve was most common in patients who had rheumatic fever during childhood. Currently, rheumatic fever is rarely a cause of aortic valve degeneration.

There are minimal invasive procedures to correct, and that would fogo an open heart surgery that is more dangerous and sometimes dibilitating for a longer period of time. That option is only available for those who don't have other heart issues (i.e. blocked arteries). Living the lifestyle you describe may require an open heart surgery (clogged arteries, etc.) in the future; one shouldn't wait too long as other heart issues could develop resulting in complications post operation.