Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease (BAVD), Aneurysms, and Aortic Dissection Links

Tonight's show will be a little off-topic, but it is a crucial one.  Tonight will be part one of at least a two-part series on my experience with BAVD, aortic aneurysm, and the risk of aortic dissection or rupture. 

I've kept this to myself for too long.  I feel that if I have a public forum to share information with people about this hereditary, often undiagnosed disease, then it is my responsibility to do so. 

I plan to tell my story on my blogtalkradio show, and also to do posts here in the future.  BAVD and other connective tissue diseases are very frequently misdiagnosed, and carry a risk of aneurysms and possible aortic dissection.  I myself was told twice that I had no reason to worry, and it was just stress--despite the fact that I requested the proper tests, had the markers of BAVD and the symptoms of an aneurysm.  People leave emergency rooms every day undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, and are sent home to die.  over 10,000 people a year die from aortic dissection or rupture--not including those who die and are wrongly classified as heart attacks because an autopsy was never performed.  This must stop.

Here you will find some links to educate yourself about BAVD, aortic aneurysm, and aortic dissection:

Bicuspid Aortic Foundation
Cedars-Sinai -  Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease
Cleveland Clinic - Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease
Valve Replacement Forums
Mayo Clinic - Aortic Dissection
Cleveland Clinic - Aortic Aneurysm

I hope you find these links helpful.  I will try to add more in the next day or two.