Mended Hearts Open Forum

I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and have had it monitored regularly.  My next echocardiogram is scheduled for early November, followed by a same day appointment with the cardiologist.  The stipulation always is "contact us sooner if you notice any warning signs". 

The problem is that warning signs aren't always that dramatic and can very often be caused by other things.

For example, I was gardening with a friend in late May/early June (forget the exact date) and he tends to be very much a talker/planner/change in midstream type of guy whereas I am a "let's get it done" guy in my approach.  So I steadily dug, tilled, planted, and watered for over 8 hours that day.  Later that week, I ended up with a pain on my right side, which includes the right side of my chest.  It's still sore and is exacerbated by certain movements, showing that it's more than likely a muscle strain more than anything else.  Just not so sure why it's hanging on so long.

After that time, I was careful to be watchful when I was working up a sweat on the treadmill, but never any chest pains, light headedness, or other signs of heart failure, which gives further credence to the muscle strain thought.

Lately, however, I've noticed other things.  Before I spell out the other things, it's important to know that my mom is in a nursing home and has been on a downward slope in the past eight months, especially the past three months.  It's difficult and stressful to watch someone suffer this way, which has certainly adversely affected my blood pressure and stress levels. Without question, it is bothering me more and more every time I go to the nursing home (five out of seven days per week).  I feel tired and depressed and sometimes nap afterwards.

Recently, while visiting my mom, I had to get up out of the chair and was very dizzy for a few minutes.  This only happened once.  Other times I'm there, and I can literally feel my blood pressure rising when my mom is in pain and is in need of help.  It's circumstantial, which points to stress.

This past week, I find that I'm tired all the time and sometimes drive to the gym but am too tired to go in.  Today, I did indeed went in, got changed, walked laps in the gym for about 20 minutes with no problem, then hopped on the treadmill to try to work up a sweat.  I made it just over five minutes and had to give up.  I was just too exhausted, so I came home and took a nap.  I feel better now so I'm contemplating trying to go back to the gym and giving the treadmill to see if I can work up a sweat for 30-40 minutes and get a proper workout in this week.

For the first time ever last fall, my echocardiogram showed some progression with aortic stenosis, so my cardiologist moved me from biannual Echocardiogram to annual echos, with the caveat that I contact them early if I see any "signs".

Seems like all of my signs are attributable to other causes, but its not something I want to be wrong about.  So I'm trying to decide whether to stick it out until appointments with my GP (in early October) and my cardiologist (in early November) or to contact them and let them know what's going on even though I think the potential "warnings"--if indeed that is what they are--come from issues other than my heart.

Thoughts?

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Garth Wadleigh
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Hi Garth I believe a echocardiogram would show the degree of aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the valve,  which could determine when you require surgery. The one thing that you highlighted is your current level of fatigue, which could be due to a progression of your issue or other issues. I would call or message my cardiologist to let them know about your fatigue and ask them what they think. Good luck

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Mary Malone
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Dear Garth
Its time to call your cardiologist and discuss this list with the “health care providers “ at the office. There are so many incidences where you are rationalizing away all the symptoms. Or it could be a case of Denial ( another Symptom … which is also my own guilty flaw ). Or it could be something else/ nothing but fatigue, stress, age, situational depression, seasonal summer heat!
Your mother is fortunate to have you and
your devotion . You are a wonderful son, please check on your health first so that you are able to continue to care for her!!! She will feel better knowing that your heart is getting the help it needs!

Marilyn B. Rosenhouse
Mobile: (214)850-0655


Original Message:
Sent: 8/13/2026 4:14:00 PM
From: Mary Malone
Subject: RE: Is it time to call my cardiologist or is this a "wait and see" circumstance

Hi Garth I believe a echocardiogram would show the degree of aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the valve,  which could determine when you require surgery. The one thing that you highlighted is your current level of fatigue, which could be due to a progression of your issue or other issues. I would call or message my cardiologist to let them know about your fatigue and ask them what they think. Good luck

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Mary Malone
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Garth,

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Kat Edwards
CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 8/14/2026 3:10:00 PM
From: Kat Edwards
Subject: RE: Is it time to call my cardiologist or is this a "wait and see" circumstance

Garth,

...I was also born with a bicuspid aortic valve and was not diagnosed until after I retired during an initial visit to my husband's cardiologist.  I had NO  symptoms and felt fine except for noticeable fatigue which can be a symptom of many things. The only reason I made the appointment was a feeling that I had that something was different and it was.  I had an 85% regurgitation rate of my aortic valve and was ultimately scheduled for valve replacement via open heart surgery.  It is always a good decision to contact your cardiologist if your body is performing differently Having your echo moved up a few months may be your doctor's  recommendation.  Wishing you the best !

Kat

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Kat Edwards
CA
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Thanks for the comments back.  I think every one has made good points.  I sort of agree with Terry in that I suspect this is likely all about stress, fatigue, and muscle strain.  It's just odd that I've had muscle strain issues for over two months straight now. Add to this the ongoing fatigue to the mix combined with the fact that my mom and three of her siblings have all had valve replacements, stents, or bypass surgery and I don't really want to mess around.  My mom had one other sibling who was never diagnosed with a heart issue simply because he never went to the doctor. He was the first of the sibling to die. His wife found him lying dead on the bathroom floor one morning, so it could very well have been a coronary issue that he ignored.  I'm not going bury my head and think that I'm not a target for a coronary issue as the cards are stacked against me. 

I called my cardiologists' nurse just to be sure, and just as Kat had stated, he moved my echocardiogram up to September and has me going for lab tests next week.  I'm also timing my visits to my mom at the nursing home for the morning when she is at her best rather than the afternoon as she struggles the most at that time.  There's nothing I do for her in the afternoon other than watch her suffer as she waits for the pain meds to kick in as the nurses and nurses aids are attentive to her when she is suffering so I just sit there and watch in anguish.

Lastly, I'm not giving up on going to the gym.  In fact, I'm planning on going more often and staying longer.  Today I used the weight machines to work on my legs and had no issues.  I did get on the treadmill a couple of times and just go more often for shorter periods with slightly slower speeds rather than the one intense cardio workout I had been doing.  We'll see if I bounce back in the next week or two or if the fatigue and lack of energy continue to plague me.

Also cutting back on other stressful obligations for the fall, taking more time for nature walks and enjoyable activities, and cooking for the week with a high fiber/vegetable heavy diet, avoiding coffee, sweets,alcohol, and eating out.

If I'm able to turn it around with lifestyle changes, that's great.  If I still feel fatigued and it does end up being time for valve surgery, at least I'll be in the optimum health possible which should help with surgical success and recovery.

One day at a time.

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Garth Wadleigh
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Hey Garth. It seems odd that muscle strain would last that long. Like you, I looked for all sorts of other reasons I had symptoms. I was able to work out in the gym with no symptoms except what I convinced myself was "heartburn".  In fact I had 99% blockage in the LAD ("widow maker"). I had emergency bypass 6 years ago. Since then, semi annual echocardiograms. Again no symptoms, but echos  revealed aortic valve stenosis, which last year advanced to serious stage. Rather than another open heart surgery, they performed a TAVR and I was in and out of the hospital in 24 hours. I learned that bicuspid leaflets (I didn't have one) can lead to serious stenosis. So my point is err on the conservative side. Don't look for reasons (stress, muscle strain, or in my case heartburn). It's easy enough to get it checked and either give you peace of  mind or fix before they find you too on the bathroom floor. My cardiologist told me that if I didn't have the bypass surgery when I did, they would find me on the grocery store floor. I told him that was impossible, as my wife does all the grocery shopping!  I feel great with my new prosthetic valve. The procedure is simple with immediate relief and quick recovery. Stay alert to symptoms, don't make excuses and be well. 

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Barry Kastner
Ridgefield CT
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