Today, I saw a new cardiologist.
As my long time readers already know, I was diagnosed a couple of years ago with atrial fibrillation (AFib). What you don’t know is that a recent blood test triggered some additional tests of my heart. The blood test showed an abnormal level of NT-proBNP (BNP). That’s an indication of heart stress that can indicate heart failure. I am not in heart failure. Let’s just get that out of the way up front.
But the additional tests to confirm I was not in heart failure did show something new. It seems I have a previously undetected congenital heart defect. I have a bicuspid atrial valve. A normal valve has three flaps. Mine only has two. This explains both the previously diagnosed aortic aneurysm as well as the abnormal BNP result. That defect causes the heart to work harder, and puts stress on my ascending aorta. The result is a weakening of the ascending aorta.
Today, I saw a cardiologist for follow up on these new cardiac results. The doctor discussed these results with me, and told me that, for now, we can continue to monitor that aneurysm. It has enlarged in the past year since it was last scanned. If that growth were to continue at the current rate, I would likely be having heart surgery in the next one to two years. That would be a major surgery and recovery would require a month or more.
For now though, I am doing well. He was happy with the treatments I am already undergoing. My blood pressure is in the normal range, which is very important in this situation. So I will get another scan around this time next year, and there will be decisions to be made at that time.
The journey continues.
An Aging Trans Woman 
I hate to read this, but am glad you’re on top of it.
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Thanks Nat.
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Well, breathe deeply all the time from now on, and thank you for the update with the good news so far. I’m thankful that the news is good so far, also.💖
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I am very very glad to know that you are getting the care you need to remain on this side of the veil, my dear friend. Blessed be.
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Thank you Heather. Blessed Be!
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