Skip to main content

My heart condition

I know I have briefly mentioned my heart condition in my blog before. I told how with my pregnancies there was a very small chance of it being passed down genetically. Fortunately that didn't happen. I am the only one in my family that has this or any type of structural heart defect. It's called Transposition of the Great Arteries, now referred to as Transposition of the Great Vessels. It's a congenital defect and there is no explanation for why it happens at this time. The defect happens while the heart is developing in the very early stages of life. The abnormality is very severe and is not compatible with life. So shortly after the baby is born he/she will need open heart surgery to correct the abnormality.


This is a normal heart. This picture shows the circulation of blood. Below I have a picture of a normal heart compared to a heart with Transposition of the Great Arteries.


Here you can see the structural differences. This defect does not allow the oxygenated blood to be carried out into the body. The heart keeps circulating the oxygenated blood towards the heart and the de-oxygenated blood away from the heart. 

Today they do a procedure called the Atrial Switch operation. It is very effective and has great long-term results.  But, I was born in 1984 and during that time they were using a procedure called the "Mustard" procedure. The Atrial Switch procedure came along a couple years later, so I'm one of the last to have the Mustard procedure. Now, don't get me wrong, the Mustard procedure saved my life and was a great "fix" for it's time, but it just doesn't withstand time and the wear and tear on the heart. 

This is a picture of what the heart looks like after the Mustard procedure. Now, the left side of the heart is doing the work that the right side of the heart was created to do and the right side of the heart is doing the work that the left side of the heart was created to do. Not really ideal, but hey, it works and I'm 30! 

Over time these areas that have been surgically altered get leaks and become obstructed from scar tissue and another heart surgery is necessary to rebuild these areas. I have come to that point in my life. The doctors say that since the onset of these symptoms caused by this deterioration is slow that I really don't notice how bad I feel. That I have adapted to the changes in my health overtime and once I have the surgery and recover I will realize just how bad I was feeling. This makes me excited. I can't wait to see what they are talking about. It's just what I have to go through to get there is frightening. But, I am optimistic and know I am in great hands. 


Comments

  1. Brent & KristieMarch 17, 2016 at 12:27 PM

    My brother, born in 1980, has this same exact heart condition. xo

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Next challenge!

I completed 21 Day Fix this past Sunday and began LIIFT4 the very next day.  No rest for the wicked! I'm loving it so far.  It's only 4 days a week and no more than 40 minutes a day.   Weekends off, WHAT?!  But, not off nutrition wise.  Still sticking to the portion fix plan.  And I can tell a lot of changes in my body and my body reacts very well to eating clean, which I suppose everyone's would.  I do treat myself from time to time with some wine or a light beer and we did just go out for pizza the other night.  Everything in moderation.  Today's breakfast was vanilla Shakeology with chai tea, chia seeds, cinnamon, and half a banana. Remember if you ever want to join me drop me a line over to the right and I'll be in touch!👉👉👉
Post a Comment
Read more

Ending the first week

As I am ending the first week of my 2 week challenge I am pumped and already looking forward to my next one.  It's so exciting to see others getting involved and sharing their journey with each other.  Not only are they keeping themselves accountable, but it helps me stay on track and they are keeping me accountable.  I feel like it's my job as a coach to be up before everyone and posting that post that they will for see first in the morning.  Their coach got up and worked out already and that I hope is inspiring. This next challenge will be on my own.  As in my coach won't be there to guide me through, I'll be leading it myself.  Along side my new coach that I signed on earlier this week.  I already see my team forming and it's encouraging me to work harder and reach more people. I'm currently doing 21 Day Fix and loving it!  It's 30 minute workouts that I knock out easy before work each day.  It is 7 days a week, but that's simple to do...
Post a Comment
Read more

Challenge groups

Tomorrow is the start of my first challenge group! I am so excited to share a sneak peek into the fantastic community I have become a part of.  I had 15 people join, which I think is a good number considering I opened up 20 spots and there is still to the end of the day. A challenge group is really what kept me motivated while doing workouts at home and they still do.  Seeing everyone encouraging each other and posting their own struggles and achievements.  Giving pointers, tips and new ideas.  Being able to have a place to go when the people in real life judge your journey or make comments (unfortunately that will happen). And when that does happen, brush aside those negative comments and remember why you have decided to take this journey, FOR YOU! To make your life better, to be a better person, to encourage your family, to just be a better you all around.  Because that's what's going to happen.  And if anyone wants join me on this journey (along wi...
Post a Comment
Read more