Hidden Heart Defect Found During Routine Checkup: Per Christensen's Story

A routine physical led to a life-changing discovery for 40-year-old Per Christensen. After years of other health challenges and countless medical tests, a nurse practitioner heard a faint heart murmur that no one had noticed before. Further testing at The University of Kansas Health System revealed Per had been living with a congenital heart defect called a bicuspid aortic valve. In this episode of All Things Heart, Per shares his journey from diagnosis to open heart surgery, including the Ross procedure performed by cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Todd Crawford. Dr. Crawford explains what a bicuspid aortic valve is, how it can go undetected into adulthood, and why the Ross procedure was the right option. The conversation also covers heart murmurs, preventive care, valve replacement, cardiac rehab, recovery after heart surgery, and why keeping a routine physical can make a life-changing difference.