I want to know what's next for me?

If you don't have your valves fixed, the prognosis isn't good. Why don't you want to fix a heart defect? That doesn't make sense to me. What if you pass out and fall and break a bone? Or you pass out driving a car?

Not going to a doctor is a terrible decision. Please think about it so that you have your best chance for a healthy life.

Things have changed many times in your life. Many of these test have changed and not so hard on a person as the old way.
Please get a check up.
If you worked the ER you know some great doctors.
You are special and your family loves you.

Cardio thoracic surgeons do amazing things these days. Having your valves replaced, while it is open heart surgery, anxiety producing, etc..., will change your life for the better. While we never know what the future holds, with successful valve replacements, you won't have to live with "chest pains and fatigue, dizzy spells, weakness" and your quality of life will greatly improve.
All my best to you!

Hi speaking for myself I would get it done its a straight forward procedure having all those symptoms chest pains and fatigue, dizzy spells, weakness. body working hard already wish the best

I can only offer my own reasoning, and I don't know all the salient factors in your life, some of which you haven't shared:
a. You're living now, and you're probably a grandma, or soon will be. That's a success by anyone's standards;
b. You've placed yourself in the hands of other physicians all your life. You're still here, but reluctant....?!?;
c. You're deteriorating. You know why you're deteriorating. What has been offered to you with which you pointedly disagree?;
6. Would you seriously look forward to a continued slow slide toward incapacity and death, or would you like to go out swinging? It's your choice;
7. Wouldn't it just suck if you awakened from the anesthetic and found your heart calm, beating in NSR, and your surgeon says you'll be good for a bit yet?

I agree with all the wisdom given above! Listen to it. Fear is a powerful emotion. Allow that fear to be turned into faith, that things can go goodly not badly! You have many more reasons to live and live well. I have had artificial heart valve 36 years. First women to have a baby with artificial heart valve and life long
Heart issue. I am 62. Trust me you want to live well. Valve surgeries are very different than the old days. Make an appointment and know things will probably better than how you imagined it. We are all pulling for you

Hello Tracy @tlynmcgee02, I am so glad you have joined Mayo Clinic Connect and found others wanting to support you being the best you can be! What you have been through has been so, so difficult and I imagine you would just like some rest from it all. You can do this!!!

Have you considered going to Mayo Clinic? I am a Mayo patient and they are helping me live the best life I can. Their compassionate care goes far beyond treating the physical diagnosis. You can explore making an appointment here: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

What is the biggest thing holding you back from seeking care? On the flip side, what do you work into your days that provide a bit of joy, what do you enjoy?

When you’re facing a medical decision there is the fear factor involved. However on the positive side..medical technology and innovations exist that these procedures can be done. I too am facing a TAVR procedure that I am not looking forward to as I am 100% asymptomatic; yet 3 years of periodical testing has proved that I do have a valve that needs replacing. So if any comfort, I am thankful it is 2025 and not 1985 in the world of medical advances.

This is to Tracy,
I agree with @bigi, however I'd like to offer a Suggestion (ONLY a suggestion). Before having such a critical surgery (if it were me) I'd find 2 physicians in my community who deal with Your Specific condition & do the surgery that has been recommended. I think your instincts & judgment will "kick-in" & one of them will sound a little more to your liking. Oft-times when you tell 1 Dr. you're "Not saying NO to the Surgery, but surgeries can be Life Threatening, so before you go into one You'd Like to get a 2nd Opinion. " Any Reputable Doctor "worth his salt"will have the confidence in his work to agree. When you tell him if the 2nd Dr. agrees, You'll be back Ready the Set A Date! In 1 medical situation I dealt with a few years back, that 2nd opinion probably saved my life. The Rest of the time the Dr.'s seemed Delighted to see me walk back in their doors, because they knew I trusted them Implicitly.

First, I want you all to know I appreciate your words very much. I thought I should give you a little more information. Within the last 10 years I have found my mother dead found my father dead Lost my only granddaughter to an accident lost my brother who I completely adored My nephew was killed my aunt died suddenly and my sister and my daughter both have made comments that they wish someone was in heaven waiting with their children that have died. My mother and brother and father I'll head open heart surgery My mother got Mercer and died my brother and my father but did Billy will help with it. I've had nine surgeries in my life I've died on the table three times, I just don't know if it's worth going through all that or putting in God's hands and letting everything happen the way it will. My husband are extremely poor We don't have a car we live in a mobile home falling down and it just isn't going to get better I don't think. So really I'm struggling for a reason to fight for my own life. I quit going to the doctor's because I didn't want to be here with all the pain I had been through emotionally. Thank you all for listening. God bless you!