I was scared until I started doing research.
So, when i’d Walk to my car after work or on my way into the gym, I would become out-of breath. I went to my cardiologist (I was having atrial fib since I was 42) . He suggested an angiogram.
I was told that my arteries were perfect but I should get my aortic valve replaced sooner than later. I met with my doctor - his suggestion was to have an artificial valve put in and take blood thinners the rest of my life.
I workout, run, and lead a very active life (this was when I was 55). The thought of being on blood thinners is insane. Not to mention that whenever I would need a medical procedure like a colonoscopy, you have to go off the thinners.
I started doing research...I live in Poughkeepsie and was not satisfied with my doctors or the hospital I’d have to be in. I ended up at Mount Sinai in NYC with one of the worlds leading surgeons, Dr. David Adams. I met with him and all stress disappeared. He also told me that even the Cleveland Clinic ( the nations leading cardiac hospital) no longer does artificial valves.
ANYWAY...I had the replacement surgery March 25, 2013. BTW: I also have an aortic aneurysm. It wasn’t large enough for it to be fixed and since my surgery it stopped growing. I now have a bovine valve.
I was back to work in 4 weeks. I workout like crazy, look younger than I am and still as active as ever. This is my long winded way of saying, “ get a second opinion”...it’s your heart. Question the doctors. If you don’t like what they say, discuss don’t just accept.
