Bicuspid aortic valve....help!

[Autumn18]

Does anyone have this or know anything about it (good stories only)?!

I have just been diagnosed and am very concerned since my aunt just died from aortic dissection.

Please help me!:weep:

[Frankie123]

Not sure what a bicuspid aortic valve is but I do have aortic valve stenosis which means the aortic valve is slowly ceasing to work and I will have to have open heart surgery to replace it. I have been told that the valve will be replaced with a pigs one which they hope will last about ten years. Without the operation once symptoms of breathlessness and chest pains start that most people die within a year if they do not have the operation. In the meantime, I am on beta blockers and ACE inhibitors to lower my blood pressure.

[Autumn18]

Hi Frankie,

Thanks for your message. Sorry to hear about your condition.

Bicuspid is where you only have 2 clasps instead of 3 at the aortic valve which allows the blood flow in and out of the heart.

I think stenosis can sometimes occur as a complication of this but apparently bicuspid is fairly common (1 in 100 people) most of which never have symptoms

Do you mind if I ask how old you are?