A little background info so this doesn't get asked a bunch, but I'm a 24 year old college student and poker player (nothing baller). I am not a doctor, so I will not know all of the answers to your questions, but I will try to answer questions to the best of my ability.

Who's first?

What's it like to not need open heart surgery?

What is your heart condition?

What's it like being asked questions about needing open heart surgery?

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . .

The first 17 years of my life were great. I enjoyed an extremely active youth playing any sport that I had the opportunity, baseball, football, track, basketball, etc. I used to be a really good baseball player and loved playing the sport. Once I got into high school I lifted and ran five days a week, but I always noticed I could never quite keep up with anyone later in a workout. I was always TERRIBLE at running long distances in PE as evidenced by my fastest mile time ever was just over 8 minutes. I also drank a lot and partied my ass off and loved every second of it (this doesn't have to change when you need heart surgery fwiw).

I was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve in 2001. Prior to this I was told that I had a heart murmer, which is just an odd sound during the heart beat. A murmer isn't really anything to worry about unless you have other problems.

I need to go on a walk and didn't really answer this one too in depth. I can tell you more about this when I get back if you quote this and type "I like terts." Anyways, I'll be back in an hour or so.

It was fine till you showed up

when is the surgery and what are your odds?

I like terts.

way to read the whole thing lirva

I had a broken heart at 24 too.

Remember, whatever happens, let's not get the lawyers involved!


Also, wtf? Is this a srs biznis thread?

yeah f u cos u domt have a **** bag attached oh yeah f u cos you domy what its all bout hhaha

at least it isn't your bread basket

you'd be ****ed then

Yes this is 100% serious. And I'm planning on going to law school, so a potential lawyer is already involved
**** ME TOO!

The heart is a finely tuned organ and is only as strong as it's weakest link. The way it has been explained to me, the aortic valve pumps blood to my brain and extremities. The aortic valve is typically a tricuspid valve (three cusps/leaflets/flaps, whatever you want to call it) that are properly aligned to maximize efficient blood flow. Here is a picture of what most valves look like:



Like I said I have a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) which is a congenital (congenital = existing at or dating from birth) heart defect. Imagine that picture with two of the flaps fused together so it creates only 1 slit (kinda like a gash or vajayjay). Only 1-2% of people have this defect, despite the rarity in the population it is the most common of the many congenital heart diseases. About two-thirds of the people that have a bicuspid aortic valve do not have any problems with it and it can go undiagnosed for their entire life. On the other hand their are two problems associated with this condition which are stenosis and regurgitation. Stenosis is when the heart valve doesn't open completely which restricts the maximum amount of blood flow; regurgitation is when the valve doesn't close completely which allows blood to leak back into the heart. Just because someone has one of these problems does not mean they have both, unfortunately for me, I have both FML This means my heart has to work significantly harder than most to pump blood so I get tired very easily.


When I was diagnosed with BAV I was told that I would need surgery to replace it within 5-10 years and that was 7 years ago. As of now, the surgery is not scheduled and according to my cardiologist they are waiting to do this because I am young and will have to deal with some lifestyle changes.

The mean mortality rate for valve surgeries that took place between 4/1/2004 and 3/31/2005 is around 4%. The one year survival rate after surgery ranges from 90-93%, but since I am young I believe that my chances are better than most people because I take care of myself.

Keep 'em comin.

Inflammable means flammable? What a country!

Good Afternoon Fredd


What physical restrictions do you have now?



What physical restrictions will you have after the surgery?

it is okay jacktay i think the doctor will let you have your way with him

hush you

do you smoke cigs??

It is more common than any other congenital cardiac anomaly.


So...what's it like having something as common as a ****ing cold?

I cant run more than 3 or 4 minutes.

Do I need surgery?

Does either of your folks or their relations (besides you) have this problem too, or was there maybe something unique in your mom and dad that resulted in this problem only when they got together and made a new kid?

Do you get winded when you jack off?

The cardiologist has only explicitly stated that I should not be weight lifting for purposes of building mass, but light cardio exercise is actually recommended. He has stated that other restrictions include any activity where I get physically exhausted, which is pretty ambiguous but basically any exercise where I can end up gasping for air could lead to grave consequences. It might be easier for me to say some things I can do... I can jog for short periods of time as long as I force a very long cooldown period, I hit up the bike machine today and rode 5 miles in 25 minutes and I wasn't too bad after that, I usually walk between 2 and 5 miles daily on campus to-and-fro class, but with a stuffed backpack I have actually had to stop on my way to class and catch my breath.

I have only had one brief conversation about post-surgical complications. Due to the nature of the surgery (sawing my sternum in half and opening me up) I will be very limited for the first couple months. There are two different types of heart valves I could choose from, mechanical or pig-valve. The mechanical valves last much longer and since I am young this is the best option, but I will be forced take blood thinning medication for the rest of my life. There are some very specific instructions regarding the care of the huge incision I will have, which are basically keep it clean and dry and some other stuff. I won't be able to drive for 6-8 weeks after surgery, this should seem pretty obvious as a steering wheel to chest would probably = sudden death. I am also not supposed to work for 6-8 weeks post-op, but since poker is my main source of income I don't foresee any problems with working. There are some standard stuff that make everyone healthier, but eating a balanced diet and getting a proper amount of sleep are obv. recommended. The sleep will be pretty difficult as I usually sleep on my stomach and well that just won't even be a possibility. Physical activity is also limited for 6-8 weeks, but once I get past this point I should be able to return to a normal life. I decided to look this up so I will just copy+paste what a doctor says as far as exact recommendations during this period of time.

• Gradually increase your activity. You may do light household chores, but do not stand in one place longer than 15 minutes.
• Do not lift objects greater than 20 pounds (your doctor may give you a different number if appropriate). Also, do not push or pull heavy objects.
• It is OK to perform activities above shoulder level, such as reaching for an object or brushing your hair. But, do not hold your arms above shoulder level for a longer period of time.
• You may climb steps unless they have been restricted by your doctor. You may need to rest part of the way if you become tired. Do not climb up and down stairs several times during the day, especially when you first arrive home. It is better to plan activities to go downstairs in the morning and back upstairs when it is time for bed.
• Pace yourself - spread your activities throughout the day. If you become tired, rest and schedule unfinished activities for another time.
• Walk daily. Your doctor or cardiac rehabilitation specialist will give you guidelines for walking when you return home.
• Check with your doctor to confirm activity guidelines.

haha I saw this hushing coming from around the corner.

I used to smoke squares for 3-4 years after high school when I was wildin' out, this is after I had found out about my condition. My pediatric cardiologist stated that I should not smoke anything and if I do drink, to drink in moderation. I said eff that and during these 3-4 years I was drinking a lot, smoking a pack+ per day, and smoking weed constantly. I think this was Freud's concept of "death drive" and I basically had given up a lot of hope subconsciously and just wanted to have fun.

I quit smoking cigarettes cold turkey about 3.5 years ago and currently I very rarely drink, and if I do I almost never have more than 6 drinks. I also just recently quit smoking weed maybe 2 weeks ago, so only time will tell if I actually quit. Being a smoker could be a complication for surgery according to the doc, so I am heeding his advice.

Also, I'm a student at University of Illinois, so if you are around here PM me and lets go get a drink or some food, I'm always up for meeting new people (and some 2p2ers lol).

I think you misread the copy+pasted portion of text or you are unaware of the definition of "anomaly." Either that or you are just leveling,

From what I have read up about it, it is an inheritable trait and it also more prevalent in men than in women. My mother does not have this and I do not know my father, so I am unable to answer this question fully.

I have had no complications thus far.

I cant run 30 seconds without collapsing do i need surgery