Valve Disease Awareness Day is February 22 and Mended Hearts is a proud partner of this annual event! This year we are sharing a series of four unique stories about valve disease to highlight the fact that valve disease affects millions of people, in a variety of ways.
Victor Elizalde is User Experience Designer (UX Designer), building apps and websites for a tech company in Austin, Texas. He is a proud CHD Survivor and advocate for heart health and support. Connect with him on Instagram (@victorized) or LinkedIn (@victorized) to learn more.
Today, we hear from Victor in his own words:
As early as I can remember, I knew that someday, I would need open heart surgery. Still, I grew up in stark contrast to this looming fact.
I was born with an abnormal heart murmur stemming from a leaky aortic valve, yet I was a very active kid. I played almost every sport outside with my older brother and the neighborhood kids as well as organized soccer starting at age 5.
“You’ll need your surgery before you turn 18,” doctors would tell me.
I had a hard time wrapping my head around that, and I proceeded to play soccer at a high level through college. 18 came and went. No symptoms, no setbacks.
“You’ll definitely need surgery in your mid-20s,” doctors said.
When I got into my mid-20s, I was playing soccer less, but running more. This led me to start training for a ½ marathon. I was 27 when I joined a training group in Austin, Texas to help get me prepared. I was 27 when I first felt discomfort in my chest during a long run.
I followed up with my cardiologist and was relieved to hear it was something unrelated–probably a muscle strain or cartilage tear. Still, as a precaution, she put restrictions on my activity–no half marathon.
I was crushed. I thought I was near my physical prime, but instead was told I couldn’t run as much as I wanted. I remember negotiating with my cardiologist on what my limits really were. I was allowed to play soccer, but not go so far as to run a half marathon. I continued with what I had. My 20s came and went. No symptoms, no setbacks.
“…by the time you are 30…” doctors continued.
Now in my mid-30s, my cardiologist set more restrictions as a precaution. We capped my races at 10ks (6.2 miles). Having restrictions motivated me in some ways, so I tried to max-out what I could do. I was doing most 10ks at a sub-8-minute mile and was feeling really good about it. By now, I had curbed soccer due to non-heart related injuries. I still felt no symptoms.
Meanwhile, life wasn’t slowing – I got engaged in early 2013. I was still running most days and feeling great, until I wasn’t. Shortly after getting engaged, on back-to-back runs, I struggled uncharacteristically and finished light-headed. I followed up with my cardiologist.
“This is it, it’s time,” my cardiologist said.
“How soon?” I asked. “In the next couple of months” she said. “I’m getting married in a few months!” Once again, we negotiated. There was no way around it though, and we scheduled my surgery a few months after my wedding date.
We waited until after our wedding to tell my family and friends about the news. I remember telling my parents, “You know how doctors always said I would need heart surgery some time… it’s time.” July 31, 2013, I had open heart surgery to repair my aortic valve–which was replaced with a mechanical valve.
When I was going through my surgery and recovery, I couldn’t find any people around my age to relate to or get support from. So, since my recovery, I vowed to continue to look for ways to share my story and help others in similar situations.
Fast forward seven years and I’m arguably healthier than ever. My cardiologist said I could even do longer runs if I wanted, but contact sports were out (mostly because of the blood thinners). I rarely do races anymore, but I do workout 4-5 days a week. No symptoms. No setbacks.
I’m grateful for my successful heart surgery, even though I always knew it was coming. To tell the truth, it was a burden that ate at me for decades. I wouldn’t be on this side of it all without my family, my friends, my cardiologist, Dr. Ekery and my surgeon, Dr. Dewan.
To learn more about Heart Valve Disease and how to raise awareness go to www.valvediseaseday.org
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