Aortic Heart Valve Replacement

[jeffsimon]

For everyone in the U.K. it may be of interest for you to note that an Aortic Heart Valve Replacement operation is being shown on Tuesday 13th November at 10p.m. on Channel 5.

[wilsond]

I will watch with interest as I have a bicuspid aortic valve which will probably need replacing one fine day! (Fish mouth shaped 2flaps,less efficient than normal 3 flap system)

thank you x

[RobertTonkiss in reply to wilsond]

Lol funny you should say that, I was waking around for 48 years with an undiagnosed bicuspid aortic valve as well as being less efficient/effective they are also prone to calcification not sure why that part was not explained to me when it was discovered I had severe aortic stenosis due to the calcification of the bicuspid valve. I have to say I’m my case I hadn’t presented with the more classical symptoms of stenosis ie ankle swelling and being really short of breath, the only indicator I had was that I had been having progressively worsening shoulder pain on the left side ( which I had mistaken for a worsening rotor cuff injury ) that had turned out to be angina. Getting back to the point I wanted to make is that if you are ever told you have a heart murmur don’t be fobbed off as I had been a number of years ago as it turns out my bivalve could have been diagnosed then just by me having an echocardiogram. The only thing it would have meant was that I would have been monitored in a cardiac clinic over the years and I could have been started on medication to slow the progression of the stenosis before it became so advanced. As it happens 8 weeks after being diagnosed I had a mechanical aortic valve replacement done which appears to have been totally successful and I would like to thank all the NHS staff who helped me through the period.

[jeffsimon in reply to RobertTonkiss]

Actually I had a successful Aortic Bovine Heart Valve Replacement

on May 15th this year at the Harley Street Clinic.

[wilsond in reply to RobertTonkiss]

Thank you Robert.My Gp said he did hear a murmur,and sent me for an echo cardio,but they were happy with that.Apparently I shall have one done yearly! Yes, indeed, I was 53 when I found out.Never been able to run fast or play active sports with any stamina...maybe this was the reason.Take care now xx

[Becksagogo]

I really do want to watch this because I too am due further heart surgery but I am very squeamish and will probably watch it from behind my cushion!