Breathless During Exercise: Ms. Novi’s Journey Through the Bentall Procedure

Ms. Novi is from Lampung. One day, about five minutes into her exercise, she suddenly became very short of breath and her body went stiff. That episode was the start of a long journey that eventually brought her to Heartology for major surgery on the body's main blood vessel.

First Symptoms and a Changing Diagnosis

Ms. Novi was first treated at a hospital in her area. She had seizures, and the initial diagnosis pointed to a nerve disorder. After she was allowed to go home, the breathlessness returned, this time with repeated vomiting. Her doctors then turned their attention to her heart, and the result came as a shock to the family: Ms. Novi had a chronic aortic dissection.

An aortic dissection is a tear in the inner layer of the wall of the aorta, the largest blood vessel, which carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Blood can enter the tear and separate the layers of the vessel wall. It is a serious condition that needs prompt treatment. "My condition was quite severe. I was extremely short of breath at the time," Ms. Novi recalled. Besides worrying about her health, she was also anxious about the high cost of surgery.

Coming to Heartology

On a doctor's recommendation, Ms. Novi and her husband chose Heartology, taking into account the facilities and technology available for major surgery like the one she needed. At Heartology, she had an echocardiogram, a heart ultrasound that uses sound waves to look at the structure and function of the heart.

Based on the results, the doctor explained that her condition could only be treated with surgery. Her husband remembers this explanation as the basis for the family's decision. Ms. Novi was then cared for by Heartology's cardiothoracic and vascular surgery team together with dr. BRM Ario Soeryo Kuncoro, Sp.JP (K).

The Bentall Procedure and Recovery

On 9 February, Ms. Novi underwent the Bentall procedure. In this open-heart operation, the aortic valve and the root of the aorta are replaced with a single artificial tube containing a valve, and the coronary arteries are then reattached to the tube. After surgery, she was cared for in the ICU before continuing her recovery.

According to Ms. Novi, it took about a month before she could move about fairly freely again. When the video was recorded, she was able to carry out daily activities, although she was still recovering. She said she has no regrets about choosing Heartology for the operation.

The experience changed how she views minor complaints. "Since I got sick, I have started reminding my friends not to ignore any pain, however small," she said. Her message to you: get checked promptly if you have chest discomfort, nausea, vomiting or shortness of breath, so that treatment can begin early.