Newbie 😊

[Makemeproud]

Hi , I’m Alison. I have a bicuspid valve which has moved from mild to moderate since my last scan 5 years ago. Have been referred back to hospital and have an appointment on Thursday, feeling very nervous for some reason. Prob because I will be told off about my weight 😔

Good to be here and read your stories x

[Fredders]

Hi Alison, my aortic valve took from the age of 16 until I was 52 to get to severe and needing replacing so they still may decide to just monitor you more frequently rather than rushing in to surgery. I was on yearly checks until it got worse and then they changed it to every six months. I’m overweight and they never even mentioned it! Let us know how it goes on Thursday.

Wendy

[Makemeproud in reply to Fredders]

Will do Wendy, thanks for the reply

They only discovered I had this at the age of 40 even after having two children in my 20’s. I just really don’t like hospitals 😂 x

[Fredders in reply to Makemeproud]

I don’t think any of us like hospitals! Apart from brief stays by my husband I managed to avoid staying in hospitals until I turned 50, then it all went down hill - two open heart surgeries and in between those a splenectomy. Husband reckons I’m just trying to get my monies worth out of the NHS!!!! 😜

Wendy

[Makemeproud in reply to Fredders]

Hi Wendy

Had my appointment today, they did BP, ECG, my BP is high so need to reduce that. She said whilst the value has changed the surrounding area is ok so they are happy at the moment. She took bloods as my cholesterol was high at the last check in 2016??? Don’t remember that! And she was surprised I wasn’t on meds for it. I have to go back in a year. So not too bad really x

[Fredders in reply to Makemeproud]

That’s good news at least you don’t need any surgery yet. I was on blood pressure tablets but not n them now. I am on a statin though - amongst a load of others pills! Did they mention your weight? 😜

You can now get on with your life and de-stress for another year.

Wendy x

[athi0110 in reply to Fredders]

Do everything you can do to help yourself, be serious about diet, weight and exercise- these things you can make big improvements to. All the best.

[Makemeproud in reply to athi0110]

Thank you, I will. X

[lifelover55]

Hi Alison. I'm Kim. I was also born with a bicuspid valve. I had my aortic valve replaced 7 weeks ago at the age of 57. Two years ago my scan showed mild stenosis and a couple of months ago it showed severe stenosis. I'm at a good weight for my age and height and my cardiologist said that the stenosis had nothing to do with my lifestyle. Weight is not always the issue though. I would ask your consultant directly whether your weight is affecting your valve. Please let us know what they say.

I was told that being born with a bicuspid valve predisposed it to stenosis.

Sorry you are going through this but everything will be okay. Surgery and the discomfort goes by very quickly and then you get to the other end - where I am - 7 weeks post and driving and working (part-time) again. And loving being alive with all the energy my new heart valve has given me.

All the best to you!

[Makemeproud in reply to lifelover55]

O thank you for your reply 😊 that’s so reassuring. Please can I ask, I have recently been diagnosed with excercise induced asthma, I love walking but couldn’t catch my breathe, anyway I have inhaler to take before and it works perfectly. But now I have this popping candy kinda thing in my throat when I lay down, did you have that with you heart? I think I will go back to my GP as think it could be asthma. But always wonder if it is to do with my heart x

[lifelover55 in reply to Makemeproud]

It was thought that I had exercise induced asthma but the cardiologists agreed that it was a sign that my valve was declining. I had discomfort - heaviness in my chest and breathlessness. It kept getting worse and I was having to reduce my exercise.

I didn't get the popping candy thing - sorry can't comment on that.

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