Mended Hearts Open Forum

Hello Brett Temple,
After reading your store I feel much better for my heart conditions and my mental. You're very strong and incredible. 

Thank you so much 🙏

Hi, I am also a newbie to this group.  Thirteen years ago, by a fluke, I was diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm via and Echo, it measured around 4.6 cm.  A follow-up Echo three months later, showed that it had grown.  I immediately made an appointment at the Mayo Clinic.   A CT scan confirmed the aneurysm, but the surgeon did not feel that there at been any growth in the aneurysm - it appeared that way because of the differing angles of the Echo.   But the surgeon, at that time, also discovered that I had a bicuspid aortic valve.   This began thirteen years of monitoring the aneurysm and the valve.  For the most part - everything continued to be stable until this past year when I developed Afib.   The Afib is an electrical issue because a Nuclear Stress Test showed that my heart is receiving good blood flow throughout, and my Afib has not yet changed the size of my upper chambers.  The aneurysm is now measuring 5 cm (by an Echo measurement) - which is the tipping point when the risks of the aneurysm outweigh the risks of surgery.  Also, in seeking to control the Afib, an oblation might cause a dissection of the aneurysm.  So my doctors are recommending I proceed with Open Heart surgery.   I will be back down to Mayo next week for a CT scan, blood work and an EKG 0 then a meeting with both my surgeon and my cardiologist.   At that time surgery will be scheduled.   The surgery will fix the aneurysm and clip off the appendage where blood clots can form - for sure.   It may also entail an oblation procedure.   I am not sure if they will do anything with the valve since it continues to function without any regurgitation.   At a recent meeting, I was told that it was functioning better than anything they could replace it with.   So, we will see if that has changed. 

I am certainly anxious about what is ahead of me, but I am confident that I am in good hands.  I am trying to gather as much information as I can so that I am as prepared as I can be about what surgery and recovery will entail.   I would appreciate any insights that any can share with me.    I would especially be interested in knowing about any other online support groups that might be available -  something in a Zoom format, maybe.  

Hi, I am also a newbie to this group.  Thirteen years ago, by a fluke, I was diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm via and Echo, it measured around 4.6 cm.  A follow-up Echo three months later, showed that it had grown.  I immediately made an appointment at the Mayo Clinic.   A CT scan confirmed the aneurysm, but the surgeon did not feel that there at been any growth in the aneurysm - it appeared that way because of the differing angles of the Echo.   But the surgeon, at that time, also discovered that I had a bicuspid aortic valve.   This began thirteen years of monitoring the aneurysm and the valve.  For the most part - everything continued to be stable until this past year when I developed Afib.   The Afib is an electrical issue because a Nuclear Stress Test showed that my heart is receiving good blood flow throughout, and my Afib has not yet changed the size of my upper chambers.  The aneurysm is now measuring 5 cm (by an Echo measurement) - which is the tipping point when the risks of the aneurysm outweigh the risks of surgery.  Also, in seeking to control the Afib, an oblation might cause a dissection of the aneurysm.  So my doctors are recommending I proceed with Open Heart surgery.   I will be back down to Mayo next week for a CT scan, blood work and an EKG 0 then a meeting with both my surgeon and my cardiologist.   At that time surgery will be scheduled.   The surgery will fix the aneurysm and clip off the appendage where blood clots can form - for sure.   It may also entail an oblation procedure.   I am not sure if they will do anything with the valve since it continues to function without any regurgitation.   At a recent meeting, I was told that it was functioning better than anything they could replace it with.   So, we will see if that has changed. 

I am certainly anxious about what is ahead of me, but I am confident that I am in good hands.  I am trying to gather as much information as I can so that I am as prepared as I can be about what surgery and recovery will entail.   I would appreciate any insights that any can share with me.    I would especially be interested in knowing about any other online support groups that might be available -  something in a Zoom format, maybe.