After a successful appointment in 2016, my cardiologist recommended I see him again in 12 months. Previously it had been 6 month appointments, or even more frequent, since 2009. In my recent 2017 appointment, he suggested I might want to go on a 2 year cycle, seeing a "routine" cardiologist in intervening years (he's a specialist).
This is good news.
It is my heart's stability that led to his recommendations. The pulmonary valve I received in 2014 is doing well. The aortic valve is mildly to moderately insufficient (i.e. leaky). The left ventricle is a normal size and not growing. The tri-cuspid valve is not leaking. And the aortic root, while still dilated, appears stable.
I'll take this news as a sign to enjoy life, eat well, and to continually improve through exercise. I feel quite lucky to have those options!
