Aortic Valve Replacement story - Heart Disorders Message Board

Gene M · 02-20-2006, 08:25 PM

I’m a 56 year old male. In 1995, I was diagnosed with Aortic Stenosis and told I would one day require surgery for it. The condition was monitored over the years and it slowly worsened.

I became obsessed with the condition and feared surgery immensely. I read everything I could about AVR. The obsession resulted in years of depression and denial. My active lifestyle was being impacted by the condition and I wound up being hospitalized twice with A-Frib. The second incident nearly killed me and scared me enough to move forward.

A painless cardiac catheter showed that I had no trace of heart disease. It also showed that my Aortic Valve was severely calcified and allowing only thirty percent flow out of my heart !

I did what I thought I’d never I’d have the courage to do. I made an appointment for AVR surgery. I elected to receive a tissue valve due to lifestyle factors and one week ago today I had my beat-up old AV replaced with a porcine valve.

The surgery was a breeze. The week since the surgery has been entirely tolerable. Sure, I’m sore. But far less than I thought I’d be. As of this writing, my only pain medicine is Tylenol !

I’m willing to correspond with anyone about my disease and cure.

zosolizard · 02-21-2006, 10:48 AM

Hi,
I just wanted to thank you for posting your story.

My mother had AOR surgery last summer, and made a nice recovery (at age 74, no less!)

I'm glad you are feeling well!

Gene M · 02-21-2006, 12:00 PM

God bless her !

tomh · 02-22-2006, 04:10 AM

Congratulations. My AVR was in 2000 at age 46. It followed 16 years in the waiting room. I wasn't depressed, but certainly the thought of eventual surgery weighed on me. My weight "blossomed" with my inactivity.

In 2004 I ran a couple a marathons and hiked to the top of Pikes Peak. Woo hoo! Yes, there is life after AVR. You have much to look forward to.

Take care of yourself. You seem to be doing very well. Do those breathing exercises, walk, and get your rest.

I'm happy to share with you.

lelu · 02-24-2006, 09:40 PM

Gene M,

You are very lucky! Believe me, it doesn't always go so good.

I also had AVR at age 56 but in 1993. Like you, I didn't have any other heart problem other than Aortic Stenosis. My heart doctor had been monitored it with a yearly echo for ten years. He thought he would get indications to let me know a year ahead when I needed surgery.

One day while jogging my daily 4 miles I blacked out. After another echo he then recommended surgery in about a month.. this give me time to donate my own blood in case I needed some. Little did I know the 4 pints they saved for me would only be less than a forth of the blood I would need.

I had NO fear of surgery and didn't give it much thought! I was in excellent health when I went into surgery. I had serious complications, I was taken back to ICU twice and spent 21 days in the hospital. Those 21 days was the worse days in my life time. The only time in my life that I had no desire to eat. It took 6 months to get back to normal and a year to get back where I was before surgery.

I have a mechanical valve and it continues to perform excellent and should last my life time. I sure hope so, for I would never like to do that again.