K
Kym
Hi! My name is Kym. I am a new member for this site, which I stumbled across while I was doing research. I am 25 yrs old and live in the Boston area. My pediatrician discovered I had a bicuspid aortic valve when I was 4 during a routine check-up. I followed up w/ EKG?s until I was in my teens. All looked well so I just stopped going for check ups and continued w/ antibiotics when going to the dentist. I was never restricted in anything. Nothing bothered me except OTC medicines would speed up my heart beat but that is it! A year ago I passed out and was hospitalized in Boston. I was admitted on the basis that I had a rapid heart beat. I did a stress test, which I passed, a tilt table test, which I HATED and stopped before any result could be made, and an Echo. The echo showed I had a 3+ leak. I was sent home with a loop monitor. I was sent to a cardiologist for follow up. I was restricted to no heavy lifting or forceful exercise. For the 1st 5 months after I passed out I was actually restricted to 5 pound max. That was impossible and ridiculous. I was put n no meds as my bood pressure is already on the low site, I do nto smoke and I weight 100 pnds on a good day.
I did notice that my echo shows mild regurgitation of my mitral valve and trace regurgitation of my pulmonary valve and a dilation of my ascending aorta (4.0cm? I think). I?m not sure what that all means but it was in the conclusion.
Anyway, I feel fine, winded at times and sometimes have palpations but nothing major. I am actually now back at the gym and lifting weight on nautilus, the minimum amount the machine will allow. Come on! Is that really so horrible ?? I have researched surgery and have my heart set (Ha! Ha! Ha!) on the Ross procedure. That seems like the only solution as I plan on having children when I am married. My cardiologist is against that idea and told me to look at my possiblities of having children soon rather than having the Ross procedure as a fall back. Huh? I am 25!! Come on! I have a wonderful boyfriend but we are in no rush. We don?t feel an illness should speed up things. My cardiologist recommend I look into Brigham and Women?s b/c when I do have a child I will need to give birth at a hospital equipped for high risk pregnancies.
That leads me to now. I found a surgeon that does Ross procedures at Brigham and Women?s. He referred me to a cardiologist there. I have an appt with my new cardiologist in Sept. In the mean time I had to switch my primary care physician b/c she was unable to refer me outside her area. That sucked. I really liked my primary.
So, that?s my story! It is all pretty overwelming to me. I do my research in stages. Thansk for letting me share! hope to get some insight from some of you!
I did notice that my echo shows mild regurgitation of my mitral valve and trace regurgitation of my pulmonary valve and a dilation of my ascending aorta (4.0cm? I think). I?m not sure what that all means but it was in the conclusion.
Anyway, I feel fine, winded at times and sometimes have palpations but nothing major. I am actually now back at the gym and lifting weight on nautilus, the minimum amount the machine will allow. Come on! Is that really so horrible ?? I have researched surgery and have my heart set (Ha! Ha! Ha!) on the Ross procedure. That seems like the only solution as I plan on having children when I am married. My cardiologist is against that idea and told me to look at my possiblities of having children soon rather than having the Ross procedure as a fall back. Huh? I am 25!! Come on! I have a wonderful boyfriend but we are in no rush. We don?t feel an illness should speed up things. My cardiologist recommend I look into Brigham and Women?s b/c when I do have a child I will need to give birth at a hospital equipped for high risk pregnancies.
That leads me to now. I found a surgeon that does Ross procedures at Brigham and Women?s. He referred me to a cardiologist there. I have an appt with my new cardiologist in Sept. In the mean time I had to switch my primary care physician b/c she was unable to refer me outside her area. That sucked. I really liked my primary.
So, that?s my story! It is all pretty overwelming to me. I do my research in stages. Thansk for letting me share! hope to get some insight from some of you!