title: Ask the doctor.  I have had a leaking aortic valve for many years.  I get an echocardiogram every six months.  After the latest one, my doctor told me that my heart was enlarging and asked me repeatedly whether I was getting short of breath with exercise.  I told him that sure, I get tired, but it isn't like I am breathing hard while sitting still.  Now he wants me to have surgery to replace the valve.  Should I do this at age 68?
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004452:Echocardiography; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic