Any Cardiologists/heart people here? Bicuspid Aortic Valve...

[yzguy15]

Ok, so I might as well go through the whole deal so here goes:

I had to get a pre-employment physical to be a lifeguard for the city that I live in. When I went to get my physical the doctor said that he thought he heard a noise in my neck and my blood pressure was about 25 points higher in the right arm than the left. He recommended that I go see a cardiologist. Great. So, first I go see my regular doctor, to see if he even thought that a trip to a cardio was worth the time and the $25 co-pay. He checked me out, did an EKG, and said that everything was a-ok. Apparently I had a heart murmur (my mom said I had been told that before, but I don't remember that) and it's normal for the blood pressure to be off a little in the 2 arms. However, this clean bill of health wasn't good enough for the city so I still had to get a referral to a cardiologist. When I go to the cardio a week later (which would be yesterday) they did a sonogram, an EKG (again), and took the blood pressure in all 4 limbs. The doc said that I have a bicuspid aortic valve, something that I was born with. He also said that I have mild aortic stenosis and mild to moderate aortic insufficiency.

Now, to the question. Does anybody here have any experience with this? Know about any kind of limitations? Anybody actually have this? Or know somebody with it? Any personal experiences and stuff like that would be helpful, just to kind of get an idea what I'm in store for. Anybody know anyone who has had to get this valve replaced? Apparently this is with I'm looking at in the future (like when I'm in my 40's/50's).

 

[Nevada Sixx]

what is that anyway? does it ever make your legs feel fatigued alot?

 

[GETMETOCA]

I bet Nephron could answer your question.

 

[Chili]

The best guy to answer your questions would have been the Doc who made the diagnosis. Call his office back and say you were kind of in shock when he made his diagnosis and you have some questions you'd like to ask. I'm sure he'll give you the answers your looking for.

Good Luck

 

[funktree]

I have the same condition but don't really know all that much about it. I go get an EKG about every 3 or 4 years just to see if its gotten worse. It hasn't yet.I was told by my doc to avoid anaerobic exersice, to keep my weight under control, and to not smoke (which I never have anyways). He also told me to get antibiotics with any kind of puncture wound or dental work. I guess an infection in the blood could be more damaging to me because of my condition. I've also been told that I might have to have a valve replacement down the road, Im hoping by the time that becomes necessary, 20 years or so, that the technology will make it less scary. I would be curious to hear what you find out as well.

 

[Philip]

I agree with Chili. If ya need some work come on over to the heart capital of the world. We have some of the best facilities for heart care. Must be all the practice they get on our fat boudin eating ....... well ya know.

 

[yzguy15]

Basically what it is is this... The valve that regulates the blood flow from the heart to the limbs, the aortic valve, usually has three little flaps, look somewhat like a peace sign. Well in my case there are only two flaps. When the blood leaves the heart to go to the body those flaps lay against the aortic tube and then close when the correct emount of blood has gone. In a normal heart, the flaps lay flat against this tube, but in mine, they don't go all the way up, creating a doming effect. Since the same amount of blood has to travel through a smaller opening, the pressure is higher. Also, I believe, the back pressure is higher too, which does damage to the two flaps.

There's a really good picture here ---> http://info.med.yale.edu/intmed/cardio/echo_atlas/entities/aortic_stenosis_bicuspid.html

 

[AgentOrange]

yzguy15,

I talked to someone in the medical field that deals with transplant patients all the time. They were really not very forthcoming with information except in description of the condition.....two flaps versus the normal three and that stenosis means the valve is becoming less pliable or "hardening". Aortic valve replacement is open heart surgery but they did not say there were any additional risks except those inherent with it being open heart. Again they really stressed that you address this with the doctor who made the diagnosis.

 

[gospeedracer]

Originally posted by Agent Orange
Aortic valve replacement is open heart surgery but they did not say there were any additional risks except those inherent with it being open heart.

Actually, not necessarily. I used to work for Computer Motion and one of their main products is the Zeus system, http://www.computermotion.com/productsandsolutions/products/zeus/index.cfm
Heart surgery through 3 small ports in the chest instead of open heart. Open heart surgery will soon be a thing of the past in my opinion. This stuff was pretty amazing.

 

[yzguy15]

Agent Orange, thanks for the advice. I understand I need to talk more with the doctor, I go back next Friday for my stress test. Really I was wondering if anybody else on here has had this condition, or known somebody with it. I was curious if anybody had any personal experience with this they'd like to share.

 

[AgentOrange]

GSR,
I added the "open" from what I was told to what I was typing, my apology.

yzguy15,

Good luck on your upcoming test. Are they performing an echo??

 

[yzguy15]

Umm not sure. That's the same thing as an EKG right? (echokardiogram?)

 

[yzguy15]

Well, tomorrow (Friday) is the day of the big stress test. Wish me luck! Don't worried, I've studied all afternoon :laugh: Sure hope this goes well, I need this job. New job = New bike!

 

[Treejumper]

Any update?

 

[yzguy15]

YES!! Passed the stress test. Doctor said that the blood pressure was still on the high side but that should correct itself by losing 20 lbs. Had orientation for new job today and in like 2 weeks old bike goes up for sale to create some $$$ for the new one. Whew, I'm glad all this worked out.

 

[Treejumper]

I'm glad things worked out for you too! :thumb:

 

[AgentOrange]

Great News!!!!