As many of you will know, I’m 45ys of age and shocked to find I had needed a stent fitted in LAD four months ago. It took a little emotional adjusting to.
Now been diagnosed with a moderately leaky aortic valve. I’m now going through that initial shock response again.
I’m sure I’ll adjust to this too!
Just seems a little surreal at the minute.
What helps you to adjust? Throwing it to the Universe? Denial? Accepting fate as it is? Accepting what we cannot control?
I had planned to increase my activity levels after the stent…..do I now need to be careful given the leaky valve?
Consultant is due to call me tomorrow to discuss echo findings in detail.
Just wondered what your experiences have been.
Huge thanks to my Cardio Buddies 🥰
Pic below of me on my 45th Birthday a week after stent fitted!
Written by
simplysal
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Lovely photo of you It is tempting to say, wait till you know more. Your chat with the Consultant should clarify the facts for you. My valves are moderately leaky, and getting back to regular exercise has been the best treatment for me. We each have to find our own way, I’m afraid.I found setting simple achievable targets each day really made me believe progress was possible. I soon believed I was going to get much better.
As you say, the emotional bit is so important.
Many here are incredibly positive about the rehab, programme. Do get on it if you can. A great educational, exercise,, social and supportive experience.
Hello simplysal I’ve no experience of what you have/are going through but just wanted to say hope everything settles soon for you as I’m sure it will and happy birthday fabulous photo take care 🙂x
I’ve had a cancellation in clinic so thought to update.
The Consultant Cardiologist telephoned me and apologised to me that his registrar who I saw in clinic last Thursday who said my echo was normal when in fact, a letter came through the post on Saturday morning confirming the echo shows a moderately leaky aortic valve.
He was absolutely lovely on the phone.
He gave me the time to ask any questions. Encourages me to undertake Cardiac Rehab. To lose weight. Congratulated me on stopping smoking last year. Said with regards the valve issue, I’ll simply need an echo annually and remain on Aspirin for the rest of my life. Is going to introduce blood pressure Med Ramipril. Should my situation worsen he will then talk about options, said normally valve replacement surgery but said no need to worry about that now. It can be a discussion for another time which may not be for a long time yet, who knows.
Said most people with a leaky valve are usually born with it but I had an echo in my twenties and it didn’t detect any valve abnormalities then. Only I only remembered this after our call (sod’s law).
But I was so pleased with how the call went. I feel very reassured and know I have to implement these lifestyle factors (weight loss & exercise) to put myself in the best possible health.
Huge thanks as always for your support! Yes we are aware of our heart health and that can be scary but the truth is that none of us know what might be around the corner do we?
Nice photo after stenting of Left Anterior descending artery ( I am not using abbreviation). Modern cardiovascular surgery has advanced so much over a period of time. I have known and seen much older people after Aortic Valve Replacement ( I am not using AVR as a abbreviation) and they have made remarkable post op recovery and active again. I believe you will make a wonderful recovery and just well you had the vascular issue sorted out first. Best wishes.
Huge thanks for your reassuring words. Yes feeling more positive now all is out in the open. I feel well informed by my Cardiologist and very supported by this forum 🥰
Glad to hear your consultant has been so helpful. I was diagnosed with a heart murmur when I was 16 and was told then they had probably been born with it but it had never been picked up. I was told to get on with my life. I had yearly check ups and my valve slowly deteriorated until I eventually had to have my aortic valve replaced at 52.
The way I dealt with it was that they had found the leak and were monitoring it, so they would pick up on any problems before it got bad enough for me to need emergency surgery. Sadly I had to have a second AVR in 2017 after my first tissue valve started leaking, but I now have a mechanical valve and have no regrets. Hopefully you'll have years before you need surgery.
It’s great to read you’re doing well after the mechanical valve was fitted. Shame about the tissue one. It’s a road I may at one point follow but I’m reassured it isn’t today lol! Huge thanks 🥰
Sounds a great conversation. So pleased he apologised (great style) and answered your questions and you feel a bit more settled. Let us know how you do with the lifestyle changes…..people say one at a time usually works better. Thanks for updating us.
Awww seriously he was great. Couldn’t have been better. And that trust that I doubted when I’d received the letter has been firmly reestablished! We all make mistakes don’t we. It’s what makes us human! Huge thanks 🥰
Yes I asked him about that as I have been pretty inactive, especially since working from home over the last two years since pandemic. I thought because of the stent, I needed to exercise then when I read the letter about the valve, wondered whether exercise might have made that worse.
Cardiologist said nope, you should exercise. He said of course don’t overdo it but said to engage in the cardiac rehab and do whatever exercise I can.
Here’s to going from very little exercise to becoming more active 🤩
Exercise is great for weight loss too isn’t it! Yes I’m feeling more content now. Huge thanks 🥰
I had a replacement aortic valve last year. It’s quite something to be told that a key part of one’s body is failing with potentially catastrophic consequences, and the emotional impact of this can be considerable. I guess I fairly quickly accepted the need for surgery as it was starting to be obvious that things weren’t right, in that I couldn’t walk far without being out of breath. But because of other health issues, having open heart surgery posed a particular risk. I found that discussing things with the surgeon and cardiac nurse was particularly helpful - and they seemed keen for this to happen. It is, after all, your body - not the NHS’s. Recovery from surgery took a long time, but I have no doubt at all that going ahead with it was the thing to do given how it has improved my quality of life. Good luck.
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