Written By: Adam Pick, Affected person Advocate, Writer & Web site Founder
Revealed: Could 14, 2025
What occurred after David Herzhaft, an aortic valve affected person from Idaho, had a profitable Ross Process carried out by Dr. Ismail El-Hamamsy at Mount Sinai in New York Metropolis?
To reply that query, here’s a actually enjoyable affected person success story as advised by David.
David Says…
Right here is the e-mail I acquired from David about his journey to a wholesome coronary heart:
Hello Adam, Thanks for all the things you do concerning spreading details about coronary heart illness. Earlier than my operation, I used to be completely asymptomatic regardless that I had extreme aortic stenosis and moderate-to-severe regurgitation.
That mentioned, I needed to share with different sufferers who’re asymptomatic that they shouldn’t wait too lengthy for surgical procedure. I used to be exercising fairly good earlier than surgical procedure: working 3.8 miles in 35 minutes, 400 weight carry reps, 20-minute leap rope exercises and with… No signs! I used to be additionally intermittent fasting with a really nutritious diet.
My heart specialist and Dr. El-Hamamsy advised me we might preserve monitoring the illness however that there was actually no profit to attend. I then watched a 2-hour video the place a cardiac surgeon talks in regards to the pointers for surgical procedure and the way they need to be revised in order that sufferers shouldn’t look forward to extreme aortic stenosis however function earlier because the outcomes are higher. This was additionally Dr. El-Hamamsy’s opinion.
I’ve 3 children at house in Idaho. The youngest is barely 2 years previous. I flew into New York Metropolis with my spouse for a 10-day keep. After the operation, I spent 15 hours within the intensive care unit and have been moved to a pleasant room with a terrific view of Central Park! The icing on the cake for me is that the three surgeons on Dr. El-Hamamsy’s group communicate French. I used to be born and raised in France.
My Bicuspid Valve and The Ross Process
I discovered about my bicuspid aortic valve once I was 32 years previous. One of many first cardiologists who adopted me advised me a couple of process the place they may use the pulmonary valve to switch my bicuspid valve. Fifteen years later, when my heart specialist from Idaho advised me that I used to be going to want surgical procedure, he solely talked about mechanical or bioprosthetic valve substitute choices.
After I really realized I used to be going to have surgical procedure, it pressured me to learn as a lot as potential about coronary heart points.
I lastly discovered research in regards to the Ross Procedure and had a psychological flashback from once I met with my first heart specialist. I put two and two collectively and located your videos about the Ross Procedure on YouTube. Then, I went to HeartValveSurgery.com, put in a request for Dr. El-Hamamsy, after which I used to be on monitor for my surgical procedure.
A Harmonica Lesson for Dr. El-Hamamsy
So you recognize, I’m an entrepreneur within the harmonica enterprise! I run Harmonicaland.com, a harmonica superstore, and Harmo my very own harmonica model.
Throughout our first assembly, Dr El-Hamamsy requested me plenty of questions on my work. I felt some curiosity there, so I made Dr. El-Hamamsy a customized harmonica that I gave him on my final day in New York Metropolis after being cleared to return house.
As you’ll be able to see within the video beneath, I even managed to squeeze in a brief lesson for Dr. El-Hamamsy.
David Returns to Idaho
In a follow-up notice to me, David wrote:
I’m now again house in Idaho and reunited with my children. I’m sleeping on a recliner and strolling 2 hours per day. The chest ache remains to be there however every day is healthier.
If there’s something I can do to assist unfold details about bicuspid aortic valve or asymptomatic sufferers, please let me know!
Associated Hyperlinks:
Thanks,
David Herzhaft
