Welcome to my Heart Updates and Journey. This is a place where I can share regular updates about my heart condition, including my echocardiograms (Echos), ECGs and other tests, along with the results from each appointment.

I was born with a congenital heart defect. At 16 months old, I underwent surgery. Doctors initially attempted an angioplasty to widen one of my heart valves, but unfortunately this was unsuccessful, so I needed open-heart surgery through my sternum.

​

Since then, I've needed lifelong monitoring of my heart. Throughout childhood and adulthood, I've been under the care of several hospitals and have regularly had echocardiograms and ECGs to monitor my heart and its valves.

For many years, these appointments took place every 12 months. As things remained stable, this was eventually extended to every two years and later to every four years. However, at my first four-year review, the condition being monitored had progressed from moderate to severe.

​

Because of this change, I'm now back to having an Echo and ECG every 12 months, along with an MRI scan every three years.

My cardiology team is closely monitoring my heart to determine the right time for further surgery. The aim is to intervene when necessary, but not too early. When that time comes, the next operation is expected to involve a heart valve replacement.

I'll use this page to document my ongoing heart journey, sharing appointment updates, test results, blog posts and videos along the way.

​