It's Survivor Series Saturday Featuring Riley Price!

We're honored to introduce the newest story in our Saturday Survivor Series featuring Riley Price, pictured here with his beautiful family. ❤️

Riley is one of the newest members of the Aortic Hope community, and we are deeply grateful that he has chosen to share his journey with us.

His story is one of strength, resilience, and hope—a powerful reminder of why sharing our experiences matters. We hope his words inspire, educate, and encourage everyone who reads them.

Please join us in giving Riley a warm Aortic Hope welcome and feel free to leave a message of support in the comments below. 💙

Part 1

Where do I start? I just learned about AorticHope.org a few days ago and as of today I'm 81 days post op from having my Aortic Valve replaced. How do I feel today? Better than I can remember feeling in a long long time.

Little background. I'm 55 and overall have been pretty active throughout my life. Married 21 years and have a beautiful 17 year old daughter. Played sports through college and afterwards kind of up and down with exercise and body weight. With that Dr's visits followed my pattern of when I exercised. I'd go when feeling good about myself and avoid going when feeling unhealthy.

2020 is when I started feeling an irregular heartbeat. Most noticeable at night when going to sleep. It felt like my heart would wind up, pause and let out a big beat. I spoke to my primary care physician during a visit and an echocardiogram was ordered. Results are below and the only takeaway That I remember was that I was bicuspid and may have to revisit it sometime in the future. I left the office without knowing that being Bicuspid only affects 1-2% of the population. I learned that after my second Echo in 2026.

Nov 3, 2020

CONCLUSIONS Bicuspid aortic valve with mild aortic regurgitation.

Symptoms-irregular heartbeat

Part 2

Over the next 4 years I was pretty sedentary. Covid was on the top of everyone's mind so I just accepted that my irregular beat was just going to be a normal part of life.  In 2024 after putting on weight and noticing that it was causing my irregular heartbeat to worsen I decided to take action. I was sick of who I was becoming and feeling. I'm sure you've heard the expression "I was sick and tired of being sick and tired." So my journey started.

By summer of 2025 I had lost 50 lbs, was a regular in the gym and started looking and feeling great. I had been weightlifting and taking spin classes for over a year. That's when I started noticing a decline in my cardio. I dropped from 4 times a week to 1 and eventually 0 with the spin class. Weightlifting didn't seem to affect my cardio so I continued. I shifted to trying to jog as I thought a Turkey Trot might be a good November goal. When I tried I couldn't jog 1 lap around the Highschool track without getting really winded.  My irregular heartbeat was also not improving.  It was getting worse.

Part 3

What's a normal person do? They call their Doctor! Not me, I had a physical scheduled on 2/4/26 so I put it off. Yeah, 7 months was how long I waited. I was also pushing 300lbs on bench press so in my mind I was good. Following the visit further testing was ordered. A ECG 12 Lead Holter Monitor was order which I wore for a week. My Carotid Arteries were also scanned for stenosis which was not present. Cardiologist appt was made but due to the backlog my appt was set for Aug. 2026. 2nd Echocardiogram was ordered as well.

By now walking up 1 flight of stairs gets me winded as well as going heavy at the gym.

Echo results came back and on Monday April 20, 2026 my primary care called and said its time to do something about your Aortic Valve. Test results are below.

April 16, 2026 results discussed on 4/20/2026

CONCLUSIONS

Aortic Valve: The aortic valve is heavily sclerosed, but could be bicuspid with fusion of the right and left coronary cusps. There is diffuse sclerosis of the AV leaflets with severely reduced leaflet mobility. There is very severe aortic valve stenosis.

Met with the surgeon on 4/29/26 and surgery was scheduled for 5/5/26. Once more test was ordered. Since my chest was going to be opened up, they wanted to make sure I didn't need a bypass as well. A SAVR procedure was performed on 4/30/26 where they went in through my wrist and took at my heart for blockages. All clear so no bypass needed. That was also my last day lifting.

Part 4

So I had 2 weeks from finding out that I needed surgery to the day of surgery. I needed to make a very big decision. Do I go with a Bovine valve or mechanical valve. The decision was mine to make after given an explanation of each by the surgical team.

Mechanical-Last forever however an audible tick might be heard by myself and others. Blood thinners for life. Less active lifestyle.

Bovine-Doesn't last forever. No blood thinners. Upgradeable by a less invasive procedure. Active lifestyle without worrying about injury due to thinners.

Initially I chose mechanical but after I spoke to a friend who had a friend that just went through a similar procedure I went with Bovine. Having that outlet and someone that's been in this situation before me was priceless. That's why when I saw Aortic Hope on television this week I had to reach out.

5 days out from surgery I had to start using CHG wipes (bath without taking a bath) to help prevent infection.

5/5/26 day of surgery.

Part 5

I woke up! Recovery in the hospital took me 5 days. Went in on Tues morning and out Saturday morning. Lots of walking, blood work and monitoring. They have to make sure all the plumbing works before discharge as well. Day before release I had a temp pacemaker and drain tubes removed. Not as bad as it sounds:)

At home for the 1st month I walked as much as I could. No driving allowed so probably the hardest time. I watched lots of TV series and movies and even bought a Lego set to keep me occupied.

2nd month, driving again and returning to a normal life. Restrictions on heavy lifting or physical exercise that could result in an impact to my chest. 

Just a couple more weeks now and I'll be 3 months post op!  

Part 6

To be continued......

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