Recent content by Erwitchin

Sadly, most insurance (US) doesn't cover an LPa test, so it may contribute to his reluctance to order one. (It makes no sense to me - that are going to pay for minimally invasive open heart surgery for me, but balk at a $100 blood test; but no one made a rule that insurance has to pass my logic...

Units are nmol/L. So reassuring. Thanks for the clarification.

Thanks... I am just using it to factor into my valve choice.

Well, now I am confused. I just got my LPa results (20.7) which is below the "normal" range, but then this states that 15-31 is borderline. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK570621/#:~:text=The%20desirable%20and%20optimal%20test,is%20%3E50%20mg%2Fdl.

Welcome! I am new here too. The people here have so much valuable info. My questions have been answered quickly and thoroughly. The support has made me feel more confident. It can't be easy, having to deal with a valve issue so suddenly. You are on a good path with joining this group.

Have them check your LPa levels. I (age 51) have the same decision to make. I have had my doc add the LPa to the blood work I am getting tomorrow in prep for a heart cath on Friday. My surgeon says I don't have to decide until the day of valve replacement surgery, but I personally can't wait...

Those are the 2 my surgeon uses... so if I do go bioprosthetic, it would be that one. I feel like longevity should trump annoying noise, but also need to remain at least as sane as I am currently. Thanks for your help!

Thank you so much! All y'all have been super helpful. I will definitely have my LPa checked, and then decide.

Thanks for your input. The town is pronounced Nat-ke-tish (the t blends into the k and isn't audible) in case anyone is curious

Thank you! I will ask my cardiologist to include LPa in my next round of blood work next week. Historically, I have been terrible about remembering any medication, but I have a new ADD official diagnosis, and I credit taking my Adderall with getting myself appropriate medical care and finding...

Can you heat the valve tick? I can not tolerate a ticking clock (I couldn't sleep for days until I found and killed an old timey alarm clock in a drawer in another room)

Congrats! How loud is the valve? I have to choose one soon and am torn

I am a 51 year old woman with a bicuspid aortic valve, which now has severe stenosis. I have found a surgeon (in Dallas) and have scheduled my replacement surgery for June (I am a teacher). This will be SAVR, but via mini-thoracotomy, so I am thrilled to avoid a rib-spreader, but now I have to...