February 22 is National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day. It’s also the day that Laurie Stirone decided that she would share her journey.
As an active retiree and energetic mom of two grown children, Laurie didn’t notice the signs of valve disease. Each year, an estimated 25,000 people in the U.S. die from heart valve disease. For patients with severe aortic stenosis, like Laurie, their survival rate is as low as 50% at two years after the onset of symptoms, and 20% at five years.
Fortunately, valve disease can usually be successfully treated with valve repair and replacement in patients of all ages. Laurie had mitral valve prolapse since her twenties and was very adamant about her cardio check ups every year. She thought that she was just getting tired more often because of her age. “I completely missed the signs that my body was giving me,” she said.
When valve damage reduces blood flow, the heart has to work harder and the body gets less oxygen, leading to a number of symptoms which can include shortness of breath; weakness or dizziness; pain, tightness or discomfort in the chest; fainting or feeling faint; fatigue; rapid or irregular heartbeat; lightheadedness; decrease in exercise capacity; and swollen abdomen, ankles and/or feet. But, in many cases, those who experience symptoms may dismiss them as a “normal” part of aging. This is what happened to Laurie. She was actively participating in yoga and was busy traveling, and never noticed that her body was slowing down.
But in 2017, during one of her routine exams when the doctor told her that she had severe aortic valve stenosis and it would need replaced in the next six months, she was shocked. Laurie, who was a hospice worker prior to retiring, wanted to get a second opinion. That doctor shared with her the information about having her valve replaced through a procedure known as Transcather Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), and she was willing to go for it.
On February 1, 2018, Laurie had the TAVR procedure to replace her aortic valve. Laurie came through the procedure with ease. She believes that it was truly a “miracle,” and she asked the doctor in the recovery room, “Did you end up not doing it?,” because she felt so good immediately afterwards. Of course, they did replace the valve, and Laurie is grateful. One thing that became evident, though, was the need for patients to be able to connect before the procedure. “I was so frightened, alone and really scared,” said Laurie. “I wrote letters to all my family members in case I didn’t survive.” That is what led Laurie to Mended Hearts. She truly wants to support others through this process, so they aren’t alone and scared.
Laurie didn’t talk to anyone about her journey. Last year, on National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day, she didn’t share or post on social media because she said she felt that “no one really cared about my health problems.” But, a year later and with a desire to help others, Laurie has decided to share her story. She plans to post on her Facebook page and encourage others to listen to their heart.
“It’s very important for people to get their heart checked and advocate for your health,” she said. “You have to take charge, because no one else will”. The seriousness of HVD, combined with the fact that disease symptoms are often difficult to detect or dismissed as a normal part of aging, makes this lack of awareness dangerous.
These days, Laurie is back to walking her dog, Russell, for an hour each day and is taking yoga classes regularly. She enjoys watching her grandchildren grow, and she loves to cook, read and travel. She is heading to Ireland in two weeks on a solo trip as a reward to herself for thriving through the last year.
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