RealtorRick

Valve Replacement Forums

Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
In 1976 I failed a high school football physical for a heart murmer. That was news to me. Went to a cardiologist and had some xrays and strress test done. Told me it was a nuisance murmer. 5 1/2 years ago I ahd an amnesia spell at work. After months of testing for stoke, brain issues, etc, I was sent to Geisinger Clinic in Danville PA for a TEE. I expected to hear all was fine and found out that was not the case. I have a bicuspid aortic valve BAV, with calcification and regurgitation. I have been in the "waiting room" for 5 years, taking Procardia and every 6 month monitoring by my cardiologist. He told me in November 2011 "it is time. Had a heart cath on 12/13 on both right and left sides. Met surgeon on 12/29 and scheduled surgery for 1/11/12. Received 31 mm St Judes Mechanical Valve.

I love to garden and landscape. Mowing grass, mulching and planting flowers is my stress relief. I walk my black lab every chance I get on the farm behind my house. Enjoy watching my teenage son's sporting events with my lovely wife.
Location
Lewistown, PA
Surgery
Aortic valve replacement and aortic root graft, January 11, 2012 at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville PA. Dr. Russell Carter.
Medications
Pre-Surgery:Procardia (since 2006), Lisinopril(only for the last month)
Zocor then Crestor since 2006

Warfarin 10 mg daily, Crestor 10 mg daily, Sotalol 80 mg daily (after aortic flutter event March 2018 (heart rate 204 bpm and did not know it)
Occupation
I own a small Real Estate Brokerage and appraisal office in Lewistown, PA
Referral
I found this site 6 years ago when I started doing research on BAV replacement, after being told I would need it "some day" but not today. I have read hundreds of posts over the last 5 years. The info has been extremely valuable and encouraging. I tr

Signature

Richard Smeltz, Diagnosed with BAV 12/05
1/11/12 got a 31mm SJM Masters with Graft
Dr. Russell Carter, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville PA
Back
Top