UIHCCHI - Haven't seen you post before, so welcome! Just wondering about your background. You are obviously very knowledgeable and I was wondering if you are in healthcare, or is this just self taught?
Anyway, as far as symptoms showing when it's time for surgery, that's not necessarily true. I wasn't having strong symptoms because my heart had 22 years to adjust, but it was definitely time for surgery. Ten years ago, most people who had valve replacement were quite symptomatic. Even thought I wasn't, I convinced my doctor that I was ready because mentally, I was very tired of waiting, not knowing from one appointment to the next what I would hear. He agreed to do a cath. After the cath, there was no question. He said that most hearts that looked like mine were found in dead people. It still wasn't an emergency, because as I said, my heart had compensated, but there was certainly no good reason to wait.
I would recommend a 2nd opinion, to make yourself feel better, if nothing else.
