I had an instance about 10 months ago where my dogs got loose. Keep in mind I go to the gym 3 to 4 times a week and do aerobic work. I go running down the street one way, my wife goes the other. Im yelling and jogging and after about 2 minutes I simply couldn't catch my breath. I stop and Im standing simply trying to get my breath back and then Im down on one knee and then Im blacked out on the sidewalk. I wake back up about 10 seconds later tops. I chalk this up to a panic attack. I had a similar episode in the gym in a high impact class several months later but I stopped, leaned against a wall and didn't actually pass out. I recovered but I stopped for the day.
It wasn't until 6 months later I go to the cardiologist because Im frustrated that I can't run for any significant distance without discomfort. Im watching Biggest Loser and I see 300+ lb guys running longer distances than me and I've been going to the gym for 10 years ! These guys are only 4 weeks with exercise !
The cardiologist looks at my EKG and says "That doesn't look right, lets get an echo on you". He looks at the echo and sees my problem is the aortic valve. The measurement of the valve opening he estimated at about .9cm, normal is about 3cm. He also says the gradient (flow of the blood through the valve) is running about 110, normal is about 20. He tells me that the episode with my dogs was my first symptom and Im very lucky it wasn't my last. He also tells me that if he takes 100 people with my condition and comes back in 2 years, at least 1/2 will be dead. He said normally he would put me on a treadmill for a stress test but he said its very possible I could drop over dead right then and there, hence no stress test.
That was enough for me and I was on the horn to the Cleveland Clinic the next day lining up a appt with a cardiologist (Dr Griffin) for early the next week. We do another echo and he tells me basically the same thing, severe aortic stenosis. Both also told me I had a bicuspid valve which I wasn't aware of.
I had done some research between the two cardio appointments and at least knew what my options were (bovine, mechanical, Ross procedure). We talked through all 3 and mechanical was the way I thought was best for me. Bovine was looking like multiple surgeries down the road, not cool. Ross procedure makes me a two valve patient potentially, didn't like the sound of that one bit either. Mechanical could be done as minimally invasive, good chance of being one and done, and with the On-X there was potential down the road for the elimination of the Coumadin. No promises but maybe. So that pretty much settled my choice. I didn't like ANY of the choices but if I wanted to see my grandkids grow up, I had to make a decision.
So after those two kicks in the teeth I knew I needed to get a plan in place and to do so quickly. The last thing I wanted to do was stew on this. I had contacted Dr Pettersson's office prior to my cardio appt with Dr Griffin and I met with Dr Pettersson a few hours later the same day. He told me I could wait a few weeks longer if I wanted to as long as I kept my heart rate down, no exercise and no exertion. Given how I was freaking out at every little sensation I was feeling in my chest and that I knew what I needed and had settled on a plan, I thought it was best to just get in the queue as quickly as possible and get it over with. In my research I could see the mortality rates for this type of surgery were very very low so I was confident that I would make it through, I came to terms with that pretty quickly. Im the type of person that once I settle on a decision I want to get after it. So that is what I did !
Today is 4 weeks since my surgery. As I type this I think I was still on the table. Recovery has gone pretty well so far, I just did 1.5 miles on the treadmill and got my speed up to 3.5 mph. My heart rate still isn't getting much higher than 110 but that is by design. I don't want to push anything until my cardiologist tells me to do so. He is aware of my treadmill usage and said its ok to walk, even briskly but to listen to my body. I really got started this week and am doing this now two times a day. Hopefully in 2 weeks when I see my cardio he will clear me for work and cardio rehab. Im anxious to see what I can do on a treadmill, can't wait to be able to actually run and not have to stop after 2/10s of a mile or 1/4 of a mile.
Hope all that helps, will be anxious to hear how your appointments go and what your ultimate decision is.
