kfredva1
Member
Hello Everyone! I have been lurking, reading the posts and taking great comfort from this forum. I am 40 years old and have BAV. Just to give you a run down, my story actually starts 17 years ago. My brother, very active, tall athletic man was cutting brush on his property when he fell to knees from acute chest pain. He managed to walk the 500 yards to my home and I was able to call an ambulance for him. He has experienced an aneurysm and after over a month in the hospital came home with a St. Judes valve. My brother was diagnosed with Marfan's syndrome. At that point, it was assumed it was a fluke occurance, no one had ever had this in the family. After extensive research.. several family members from my father's side of the family had passed away from aneurysms. My brother urged our family to be checked and it was at this time I was found to have BAV. I was told not to worry about it, that when i was an old lady it MIGHT have to be replaced. My brother lived another 6 years but passed away during surgery from more aneurysms. I didn't think another breath about my condition until this past year when very sick with respiratory problems, was given an echocardiogram. I was called by my doctor later on that day to say I had about 3 to 5 yrs to go before needing a replacement valve. At no time have I been contacted by the cardiologist about the results. I did call my primary doctor and got a print out but have no idea what it means. Should I be better monitored now?
Thanks in advance
Kathy
Thanks in advance
Kathy