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Hi everyone, Just celebrated my 22st mechanical valversary on February 1st. : ) I still remember it as if it were yesterday. I count my lucky stars every day for the little thing that keeps me ticking. Doc gave me a scare this year, though. Apparently the pressure gradient has been steadily...

Hi and hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I had aortic repair at age 20 and then AVR/aneurysm repair at age 42. My valve's been doing great for almost 22 years, but a recent echo showed an increased gradient and signs that it might be deteriorating. Having a TEE soon. Ugh. Hate them...

Thanks to everyone for the congrats. I feel so fortunate, but lemme go knock on wood. SumoRunner, I got mine younger as well, so hope will last twenty more. Thanks again and best wishes to everyone.

Well, folks, as of yesterday my.valve and I have lived together happily for 20 years. Yup, you read that right. Twenty frickin years and I am still a-goin. :) Hope everyone else (especially those just beginning their VR journey) has the same luck I’ have had. May we all keep clicking and...

Pellicle and Nate - Thanks so much. Pellicle, I'll admit I'm a worrier when it comes to this, especially since I have a congenital condition that puts me at a higher risk for dissection. So I appreciate your positive spin on things. I realllllyyyyy needed that. : ) Nate - haven't really done...

Hi all, I've been having CTs for the past decade to follow an ascending aortic aneurysm. (I had an AVR/aneurysm repair in 1999.) From 2008-2016 the aneurysm measured anywhere from 4.3 - 4.6 cm. In 2017 it appeared to have shrunk, measuring only 3.8. My cardio double checked with the...

Hey! I remember you as well! : ) Hope the second surgery went well. I know what you mean - I can totally feel them. My doc has also ordered a holter monitor and trust me, I will be asking about my EKG. The nurse told me about doc being gone when the EKG was ordered but assured me that...

Hi all, Had an AVR back in '99 and have been doing well since then except for an ascending aortic anuerysm that now measures between 4.5-4.6cm. I recently noticed my pulse rate was in the 103-112 range, so notified my doc, who ordered an EKG. The report said I had a-flutter. (Atrial rate 208...

Thanks to everyone for the congrats and I sincerely wish everyone the same luck I've had. Yeah, Pellicle, I'm a tiny bit of a vet. Actually took number one quite well cause I was so young. Number two was a surprise and I was so stressed getting ready to be gone from work, etc. that I didn't have...

Congratulations and a cyber toast to many, many more. : )

Just have to say a happy 18th to my valve. Every day I'm grateful for my surgeon and the medical professionals who got me through. They had a tough time due to the scar tissue from my first surgery, but they did it and I'm still clicking away. : ) Hope everyone is well.

Hi, Thanks for your reply and that's great about your numbers! However, I'm not on Losartan and my BP is usually in the 130/70 range. I'm still dubious as to the reading - that's quite a drop for one year. He also said it appeared similar to last year's CT, and i'd think there'd be a visible...

Hi all, I've had a mechanical valve for 18 years now (go, me and my valve!) : ) and am being followed for an aneurysm in the ascending aorta. It has averaged 4.5cm or so in the past few years but this year my report said it was 3.8. HUH? The radiologist even mentioned it appeared similar to...

Hi, Totally agree with AZ Don that you should always get copies of your report. On my very first CT scan years ago my cardio's nurse said it was all good, but when I read the report it showed I had a 4.4 cm aneurysm. I called and said, " Huh??? What's all this about an aneurysm???" They...

Thanks, dornole. Very interesting and comforting. Think I'm more concerned about whether or not the calcification is impeding the blood flow. My cardio's nurse called today and I mentioned it to her, so she's going to check with the doc. Probably nothing but I do tend to be a worrywart. : )

Hi again, To be honest, not sure of the exact location except it was in the ascending aorta. It was kind of a last minute discovery and even though it wasn't really large enough to require repair the surgeon did it anyway while replacing the valve. So I got a twofer. :)

Hi there - my aneurysm was repaired with a graft. Hope the 3mmhh isn't high, but I was a bit concerned when I read the comment about the restrictive inflow. Thanks and take care.

Hi all, I had my annual cardio visit today. I had AVR and aneurysm repair back in 1999 and am now being followed due to another aneurysm, now measuring 4.6 cm. All went well, but when I read my report a bit later it said "mitral valve thickening consistent with calcification and or fibrosis...

Yup, seventeen years ago today I was given a shiny, lovely new mechanical aortic valve and thankfully have been doing well ever since. Well, save for a pesky li'l thing called an aortic aneurysm. : ) So I'm going to have loads of pizza, chocolate cake, ice cake and give thanks for all the...

Hi Davey, Congrats!!!! I had the same post-op experience and this time next week will be celebrating my 17th valversary. : ) As you said, it may be comforting to some who are understandably scared of OHS to hear about us "long-termers" who live a normal, active, healthy life. Again, congrats...