Bicuspid Aortic Valve

[Gazania27]

O ha e just had my 2 year check up and an ultrasound for my BAV , been getting a fluttering in my chest on and off , the kind that makes you dizzy for a split second . When I first go out and start walking i get very breathless and my throat feels like it's constricted .Thought it might be the cold and a bit of asthma developing, but my arms and legs start to ache and feel very weak aswell. I can walk through it and it does improve e after about 5 mins.

The doctor normally finishes the scan and says all looks OK for another 2 years, he never said a word this time . Am I over thinking this outcome of the scan ? I'm 52 now

[Yumz199725]

Sounds like you should find out the results, I understand the worry that having scans can bring it's really stressful the not knowing and the building up the worse case scenario in your head. I also have bicuspid aortic valve was born with it and I have aortic regurgitation and moderate to severe aortic stenosis so valve replacement surgery will be necessary at some point. Hope your not waiting to long for your results. Sorry to hear how it's making you feel! I know for a fact when I have weird sensations I start panicking which doesn't help but it's easier said then done x wish you all the best.

[PadThaiNoodles]

My echos have all been done by a technician, who generally don't give any info. For the last 8 years or so I've gotten an appointment with my cardiologist immediately after, where he goes over the results. (Before the hospital got their IT system up to snuff it was usually a separate trip down in the next week or so.)

Was it your cardiologist who did the actual scan, or do you have a follow-up appointment with them?

[Gazania27 in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

No, not a cardiologist , if I hadn't asked what happens next he wouldn't have said anything, all he said was " probably hear from your GP in about a week Thankyou for your reply

[PadThaiNoodles in reply to Gazania27]

Yeah, I wouldn't necessarily read anything in to that.

[DilatedAortaRunner]

has your consultant / doctor advised what size your aorta is ?

[Gazania27 in reply to DilatedAortaRunner]

Morning, o have never been told anything , i just turn up for the ultrasound every 2 years

[DilatedAortaRunner in reply to Gazania27]

Mine was what impacted my aorta. My heart structure was good. Worth asking then the diameter of your aorta

[Gazania27 in reply to DilatedAortaRunner]

Got the report , still not sure what a normal measurement is ?

Ultrasound report

[DilatedAortaRunner in reply to Gazania27]

3.4cm - need to discuss with your consultant but they tend to operate around 5.5cm. Mine was 7.5cm and I was in within 6 weeks

[Gazania27 in reply to DilatedAortaRunner]

So mine is 2.7, under the section Aortic Valve Area ( planimetry ) on my report ? Thankyou for responding

[PadThaiNoodles in reply to Gazania27]

No, for that you're looking in the section above: "Ascending Ao". Yours shows 33.9mm.

This paper says anything up to 39.3mm is "normal" for your age:

tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

[DilatedAortaRunner in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

Agreed.

[Bluenose10]

I, too, had a BAV (I discovered in hospital). I had been getting breathless upon exertion but, head firmly buried in the sand, put this down to difficulties from my artificial hips. Eventually my daughter became firm with me, shoved me in her car and drove me to hospital. Aortic valve stenosis was revealed and I was kept in until my operation. Now 5 months later I am so much better! I am just off for a walk, not something I could even have considered before I was made part cow by my new bovine aortic valve. So, even if you have to get a replacement valve it should be well worth it! Good luck.