bicuspid aorta/anybody have this?

[Cindy923]

Hi,

I recently found out I have a bicuspid aorta. This is a birth defect where I was born with only 2 cusps in my aorta instead of 3. It was found on a ultrasound I had due to a fainting episode I had. I am going to a cardiologist on Sept 16th. My primary care told me it isn't serious and not to worry. It is a little scary though. I do get dizzy and lighteaded often but it doesn't last long. I am going to ask the cardiologist about exercise that how I should modify it.

Cindy

 

[Fitnessfreakk366]

Yep, I was diagnosed with this a few years back. I have the exact same thing you have. After tons of tests, everything is fine. They said I may have to get it checked every year or so to make sure everything is ok. My family has heart problems that are genetic so I have to keep a close eye on mine.

What made me find out about this is I was having a very fast heart beat for almost a month straight. At night when I went to sleep I could hear my heart beating, that is how hard and fast it was beating.

I went in and they made me wear one of those halter things where it records your heart beat for 48 hours. What a pain that was. The tests came back from that and even though they could see my heart would speed up at times and then go back to normal, they didn't think it was a major deal. They sent me to have an ultrasound and that's where they found the defect in my aeortic valves.

The fast heartbeats have nothing to do with my aeortic defect, but that is what made me find out about it. The cause of my fast heart rate was anxiety and stress - I had to quit drinking caffeine and find ways to release my stress. I haven't had any episodes with fast heart beats since. Plus another reason is I have an extra heart beat that sometimes kicks in. It's weird, because I can feel it.

I also have episodes of light headedness - every day. When I kneel down and get back up, I almost pass out. Sometimes it's worse then others.

Good luck with your tests. There are many people with this defect that live long, healthy lives. I haven't changed my workout program at all. In fact, it is an instense as ever.

 

[Cindy923]

Hi Debbie,

Thanks so much for sharing this with me. I have had anxiety most of my life and that seems to be coming back now too. Although my primary care Dr. told me not to worry I have been a little scared about this bicuspid aorta finding. It is the lightheadness that is a scary feeling but now I know enough to slow down for a few minutes and it passes. Good to know you are keeping your workouts as intense as ever. I am getting a list of questions together for the cardiologist appointment on 9/16.

 

[Fitnessfreakk366]

Cindy, please let me know how you do. It's nice to know someone else has this problem. We can talk about it later if you want.

 

[Cindy923]

Hi Debbie,

Ok, I'll let you know how my appointment goes. Do you mind if I ask your age?
I'll be 48 later this month. I ask because my primary care doctor said that often times sypmtoms of a bicuspid aorta don't show up untill the age of 50 or so. Like you said, yours was found when looking at rapid heartbeat, unrelated to the aorta thing.
You can e-mail me privately if you want to.

thanks

Cindy

 

[Fitnessfreakk366]

Ok, I pm'd you.

 

[Fitnessfreakk366]

Cindy, how did you tests go. Any news yet?

 

[lakelady56]

My husband had this...

When he was about 45 the doctor discovered it by listening to his heart during a routine physical. He had no symptoms at all. In his case he had to have the valve replaced with a mechanical valve. This was in 2001. He is very healthy and active now.