In late 1995 I went to the doctor to have my ears cleaned. He noticed a slight heart murmur. No big deal. He wanted to be safe so he ordered a cardiogram. He said, "well in a couple of years you may have to have a valve replacement."
He got a little more concerned so he then ordered an angiogram. It happened that the surgeon was their so he got to see my results and he and the cardiologist decided I needed an operation the following week.
As it turned out I got a new aortic valve and 9 inches of my aorta replaced in January of 1996. My aorta was as big as my fist the doctor said. (I got the largest St.Judes valve they make.)
Since that time I have run in several road races including a half marathon and have never looked back. Sometimes when its quite I can hear my valve tick. Life is great!