Hi Marcey:
Sorry to hear about the loss of your husband.
......"and now I'm told I have a thickened aorta wall" As reported, while a thickening or calcification in the aorta usually doesn't cause problems there, as aplicable to the individual, especially in the older population, it may/can be indicative of a problem going on in other critical arteries, such as the coronary arteries (heart) the carotid arteries (neck), and the peripheral arteries (legs).
The normal aorta (largest artery in the human body, shaped somewhat like a cane) is about 1" in diameter. Identifiable parts or sections of the aorta include the aortic root, ascending (goes upward) aorta, aortic arch (curved portion at the top of the aorta), descending aorta (going downward), thoracic aorta (chest area) and the abdominal aorta (stomach area).
"and both valves are regurgitating blood." Valvular regurgitation (leakage, a back flow of blood through the one way-only valve) levels goes from trace or physiologic (aka minimal or trivial, found in many otherwise heart-healthy people, and for the most-part, can be safely ignored), to
mild (should be monitored) to moderate (should be monitored closely to see what overall effect it's having on the heart) to severe (when it gets to this point, valve repair or replacement is usually dictated).
Valvular regurgitation grading scale by echocardiography is 0-4 . Valvular regurgitation can cause various symptoms or no symptom(s) at all.
As necessary, prescription drug-therapy treats symptoms, but does not cure the condition. Corrective treatments include catheter-based or surgical-based valve repair and replacement.
"Why am I unable to find out an approximate life expectancy if nothing is done on these valves?"
The fact is that life expectancy is highly-variable, as everyone is unique, and one has to take into consideration various factors and conditions. Also, if/when one has a single procedure or multiple procedures performed, be it catheter-based or surgical, outcomes can not be predicted.
Pre-existing medical conditions (cardiac or otherwise), negative factors, and especially comorbidities (medical conditions known to increase the risk of death in addition to the most significant condition that causes an individual's stay in the hospital), as well one's general overall health are taken into consideration.
Best of luck down the road of life.
Take care,
CardioStar*
WebMD member (since 8/99)
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