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Bicuspid Aortic Valve?

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rob82723
rob82723

So I'm 21 years old, and was recently diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve with trivial leakage (he said it was basically extremely mild and nothing i should give thought to, but to still go in for yearly appointments to make sure it doesnt progress).  I have extreme anxiety over this, and need answers. What is the likelihood i will need surgery or even worse, drop dead? Im so distraught and just need answers. I dont have symptoms, or have family history of sudden/early death, in fact all my past family members have lived full lives. Someone please just help sad

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2 Replies

  • lyn1951
    lyn1951 rob82723

    Posted

    For a start, of course you are anxious, that would be perfectly normal for anybody that has been told they have a heart issue.

    You wrote yourself that it is extremely mild, and nothing that you should worry about, but that doesn't stop you worrying.

    Yearly appts are normal for any heart issues, to watch if there is any change or even improvement.

    Only advise keep your weight in the normal range, keep fit walking steady so you can talk to somebody walking with you in a normal way without getting breathless.

    It is possible you will have this the rest of your life with no issues, but if god forbid it does get worse surgery is a very successful option, maybe even a stent that has a valve in it, and that is put in via a tiny incision in you groin, threaded up though your veins and inflated in the right position.

    My dad had a paralysed valve in his heart his entire life, it was not found until he was in his 70's, they were amazed nobody had picked it up previously.

    My husband has heart failure, or dialated cardiomyopathy, and for the last 7 years we have gone to the heart hospital every six months for a start, then extended to once a year, he went downhill for a while, they installed a pacemaker to make both sides of his heart beat at the same time, and he has improved out of site, he is back close to normal for his age.

    I suspect if he stays close to normal they will extend his cardiologists appts to 2 years apart, but he will still have to see the heart hospital every six months for his pacemaker memory download, and see if there are any issues showing up.

     

  • kathy80717
    kathy80717 rob82723

    Posted

    Dont worry about this. Annual checks are the norm with this condition. My daughter has a similar diagnosis and has got on with her very active life with no problems. She has not had to have surgery except when having her children they thought it best for a c-section. She has bi-annual checks. Enjoy your life!
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