Closer to Getting a "handle" on Things

[Braveheart]

Went to my cardio doc yesterday. AV .96 gradient 31. Not terrible, but not normal. Have no frank symptoms, but am beginning to feel more tired as of late. Had a long discussion with him. He still wanted me to wait. I am the sort of person who likes to take "the tiger by the tail".

He insisted that he would not want to do anything until either the AV was between 7-8, or I had symptoms. I insisted, and we compromised, and I will go in for a heart cath. I won't rest until I KNOW.

I am feeling better about the whole thing. Even if we determine that it is best to wait to replace the valve, I think that the heart cath will give me enough information, so that I can feel comfortable about the whole thing.

The doctor told me that he has a patient who has a gradient of 145, and refuses to do anything. Then I come along with 31, and insist that he investigate further. I am sure that there were some laughs at his dinner table last night!

 

[hall]

I don't blame you for wanting to know everything you can. You have to advocate for yourself. Hope everything turns out on your cath.

 

[skeptic49]

I know where you're at. Push until you're satisfied with the answers. Have you considered talking to a surgeon?

Jim

 

[ChouDoufu]

have you considered a new cardio? your eva is .96 and he wants to wait until .7-.8
and see? or wait until symptoms? meaning let's wait until your heart is damaged,
then think about maybe fixin' ya up? i thought .8 was the point at which most
all cardios agree replacement is absolutely necessary. doesn't mean it shouldn't be
done sooner.

while you're waiting on your next appointment, why not get a compass and ruler,
draw some circles using your eva of .96 and the normal eva of 3.0-4.0 then compare
the difference.

this'll help... http://www.csgnetwork.com/circlecalc.html

 

[Ross]

Cardio's are notorious for wanting to wait too long. Surgeons would much prefer getting it done BEFORE heart enlargement and damage is done. Seriously, consult a surgeon.

 

[Nupur]

Good for you, Braveheart! I am glad you have the approach of getting to the bottom of things. I recently asked my cardio questions about what are we waiting for and so on myself, and she was actually very nice about it, and said I should actually consult with a surgeon if I want and see if he (the surgeon) also wants to wait. That itself gave me a lot of faith in her.

 

[ponytaila1a]

When first dx'd I kept trying to find a cardio who would recommend waiting. Never found one. At least it helped me get my head around the fact that I need the surgery!

 

[Braveheart]

I know where you're at. Push until you're satisfied with the answers. Have you considered talking to a surgeon?

Jim

That is my next step, after the heart cath. I want to talk to a surgeon feeling secure that I know what I am talking about. Remember, this is all relatively new to me. Through this forum, and some of my own research, I have learned a lot in a very short time. I want to approach a surgeon with the attitude that I believe that I know what is best for me, but I need to do some of the preliminary work first.

 

[Braveheart]

I am scheduled for a heart cath on February 18th. I am getting excited about it. I really want to know what is happening in my "insides". As soon as I have an answer, I will know better how to proceed.

 

[ponytaila1a]

Yep, keep us posted. I was terrified of the heart cath which turned out to be fine. The doc kept saying he had not seen such clean arterties ! Glad I went through it.

 

[Braveheart]

Got the report of the heart catheterization. It shows "severe aortic stenosis based on the calculation; however, there is a mean gradientof 27mmhg across the arotic valve. The aortic valve is calculated to be 0.9cm2............."

This certainly sounds like something needs to be done.