Has anybody have this type of heart surgery? - Heart Disorders Message Board

lamal3 · 10-15-2008, 02:49 PM

I recently had open heart surgery. I'm a 27 year old male in good shape. About two months ago I nearly died. I had a heart attack without any symtoms such as the sore back, tiredness, pain in the chest, or breathlessness. I was healthy and normal. Then one night my chest just felt like it blew. I think it was my blood pressure going so high. Its like the red needle in a thermometer going pass the limit and blowing up. So any ways I was in so much pain that I still managed to get myself to the hospital and then having to wait almost 2 hours until I got help. The doctor almost sent me home for no reason but then my parent's and friends persisted that they do an examination. What I didn't know was that one of the main arteries supplying the blood to the heart ruptured so basically I was internally bleeding. Blood was pumping but not going to the heart. They did a few tests and within 2 hours of resting they transferred me to the other hospital where the surgerons were ready to operate. I almost died if they waited any longer. I had a hemiarch replacement, an ascending aortic valve replacement, and a aortic valve repair. I haven't heard much on this type of surgery. It's hard finding some info reguarding this matter. Any help would be great.

harka · 10-18-2008, 02:26 PM

Are you very tall and thin? Have you ever been diagnosed with something called "Marfan's syndrome"?

lamal3 · 10-18-2008, 09:47 PM

I'm not that tall at all. I'm 5.8" and now I weigh only 126lbs. I used to be 145lbs. No I haven't been diagnosed with marfan syndrome.

harka · 10-19-2008, 08:25 AM

Given the history of your coronary artery (or aortic root) rupture (I'm not sure which you had based on your description) plus the fact you're 5'8" and only 126lbs, you should ask your doctor about Marfan's syndrome.

PS Have you ever had a collapsed lung?
PPS Actually, now that I read your story again, given the replacement(s) you got, it sounds like you did dissect your aortic root and coronary arteries. Yeah...you should ask about: 1. Marfan's syndrome 2. Ehler-Danlos syndrome.

lamal3 · 10-19-2008, 12:24 PM

I'm 126 after the surgery. So I lost alot of weight and haven't been eating as much as I did before. Also I don't exercise or lift weights. I only do walking.