One Surgery for Three Heart Problems: Ms. Nur Fitriyana’s Journey

Ms. Nur Fitriyana, a mother from Purwakarta, West Java, lived for years with an untreated hole in the wall of her heart. Her symptoms grew heavier over time until she finally decided to seek treatment. At Heartology, the hole was closed and two of her heart valves were treated in a single operation.

The First Symptoms

Ms. Nur Fitriyana's heart defect was first detected in 2015, when she lost her second pregnancy. From then on she tired easily and could not walk far; it felt, she said, as if she had just been running. She was often short of breath as well. From 2023 her symptoms returned more often: while riding a motorbike, her heart would suddenly pound and her body would go weak, and she once fainted.

She was referred to a heart hospital and received regular medication, but the planned surgery kept being postponed until 2025. She had her own doubts too. She had heard many stories that surgery only leaves people weaker, so at first she thought it was better not to have an operation than to risk feeling worse.

Finding Answers at Heartology

As her condition kept declining, Ms. Nur Fitriyana looked for information on YouTube and found Heartology. She wanted to be treated soon. Here she had a thorough assessment by dr. BRM Ario Soeryo Kuncoro, Sp.JP (K), including a review of the results from her previous hospital, followed by cardiac catheterization in August 2025. Cardiac catheterization is a test in which a thin tube is passed through a blood vessel to assess the inside of the heart.

The results showed a large Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), a hole in the wall between the heart's upper chambers. Two of her valves, the mitral and the tricuspid, were also damaged. Valves are the doors that control blood flow between the chambers of the heart. Knowing this was major surgery, the family was anxious. “This is frightening, because it isn't a small operation,” said her older sister, who accompanied her. The doctor's detailed explanation helped them feel calmer.

Surgery and Recovery

The Heartology thoracic and cardiovascular surgery team treated all three problems in one session through Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS), heart surgery through a small incision between the ribs without opening the whole breastbone. During this operation the ASD was closed, while the mitral and tricuspid valves were treated at the same time.

On the third day after surgery, Ms. Nur Fitriyana began learning to sit up and walk with support from the rehabilitation team, including dr. Ayu Amalia Utami Putri, Sp.KFR. She went home after six days in hospital, counting her time in the ICU and on the ward. One thing surprised her. When the doctor visited her room, she asked, “Doctor, how come I can't feel my heartbeat anymore?” The strong pounding she used to feel was gone.

When the video was recorded, Ms. Nur Fitriyana was able to go about her day more independently and felt well. To others who are still hesitant, she has a message: “As long as you can still have the surgery, just go ahead with it, don't be afraid.” In her view, putting it off only leaves room for regret later.