Aortic valve replacement

     I am new to this forum and am enjoying what I am learning from you all. My history goes back only 9 days,when I had my aortic valve replaced ,so all of this "heart healthy" stuff is rather new to me. I am 54yr. old,an RN,and worked right up to the day prior to diagnosis,when I began having shortness of breath and palpitations. I walked my daily 3 miles with my daughter,then called my doctor to be checked out,expecting a minor problem. To my surprise,the dr. office transported me by ambulance to the hospital where a stress echo. showed that I was in severe CHF with an almost non-functional aortic valve. It was replaced that evening as it was an emergency situation,and I'm very grateful to be alive. I'm doing very well,with minimal discomfort,and my incicion is well healed. Just wondering if anyone out there had a similar situation and we could compare notes.

Hi Elisha,

     Sorry about yout mom's valve problems. I had a biological(cow) valve replacement because I didn't want to do the Coumadin for the rest of my life. How old is your mom? I know my valve might need replacing somewhere down the road,but,hopefully by that time,there will be better ways of doing it. There's research being done now on replacing valves by catheterization. I am amazed at how well I am feeling and how little pain I have from the incision. My best wishes to your mom.