Blake Graczyk Blake Graczyk

When I was 30 a heart murmur was present at my DOT physical. I was referred to Cardiologist and diagnosed with Bicuspid Aortic Valve (most hearts have 3 leaflets that open and close, mine has 2). Over the years I have had no side effects or concerns after my scheduled echo cardiograms. When I was going through chemotherapy did have some heart rate issues and did fellow up with my cardiologist .At the time my Cardiologist and Oncologist thought it was the chemotherapy-interferon drug causing the low heart rate. My most recent echo cardiogram shows severe aortic stenosis. This simply means the valve is partially blocked and is not functioning correctly. It's time for heart valve replacement surgery, the procedure is open heart and i can expect a 12 week recovery.