Congestive Heart Failure at Age 32

Here is my story of how I became a 32-year-old who had two open heart surgeries, an implanted pacemaker, and heart failure.

Routine testing revealed a problem

In January of 2022, I was getting routine testing done at my cardiology office. My cardiologist thought he saw an enlarged aorta, so he ordered a CT of my chest and heart to confirm. That CT did indeed confirm I had an enlarged aorta.

I went to a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Tower Health's Reading Hospital. I had routine tests every couple of months to keep an eye on my heart. After my CT scan in November of 2022, my Cardiothoracic Surgeon determined that it was time to do surgery due to my aortic aneurysm getting bigger and my family history of heart disease. I had a heart cath done to make sure I didn't have any blockages that needed to be addressed.

My first open heart surgery

On January 9th, 2023, I had my first open heart surgery at Tower Health. I chose to get a mechanical aortic valve, figuring that it would outlive me (figures for a young man, right?) Due to some complications during my surgery, I needed a pacemaker due to a complete heart block.

Well, my mechanical valve malfunction caused me to get short of breath, swelling in my legs, and all the signs of heart failure. I messaged my cardiology office to see what they'd like to do. A nurse called me back and said that I needed to go to the ER immediately because I was in congestive heart failure (CHF).

My second open heart surgery

So I went to Penn State Health St Joseph Medical Center (PSHSJ) ER. After sitting in the waiting room for six hours, I finally got a room that had a monitor due to having CHF. The staff started me on Lasix and got the fluid removed from my body. After numerous tests and discussions with Cardiology and Hospitalist, they determined that a leaflet in my mechanical valve was stuck.

They decided that since I would need treatment beyond what PSHSJ could handle, they would transfer me to Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center (PSHMJHMC). Once I arrived at Hershey, they ran some tests and decided to start me on TPA (clot-busting medicine) to try and break up the blood clot. After three rounds of TPA and no results, open heart surgery was determined to be the only way to fix my valve.

Transferred again

However, Hershey did not feel comfortable performing the surgery in case there were complications they could not handle. I discussed the transfer of care with the doctors and Penn Medicine in Philadelphia. I agreed, and we transferred my care to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (Penn Medicine) in Philadelphia.

Once in Philadelphia, I had another set of tests done, including bloodwork, echo, and a complete heart catheterization. After I met with my Cardiothoracic Surgeon and he reviewed the results of my tests, he determined that it was time for me to have a second open heart surgery.

While I was in the OR, the surgeon deemed it necessary to complete a single vessel CABG while I was in a medically induced coma for five days so my heart could heal, swelling could go down, and they could determine if an assistance device was needed. After the surgeon closed my chest, I was transferred to the ICU for a few days. Then, they transferred me to a regular room, where I started physical therapy and occupational therapy.

My recovery

I was able to be released home instead of going to rehab. After both of my surgeries, a visiting nurse came to help monitor everything. I now see a Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Cardiologist, and Electrophysiologist who monitor my care, my ejection fraction, and everything associated with being an open heart patient. My Electrophysiologist is able to remotely monitor my pacemaker through Medtronics, and they're at my home base station.