Hi!
My husband is 7 months post op, and gets SOB with mild exertion. Also gets palpitations at times, but he does have residual problems.
Just a comment:
a. Be careful with the vitamins......check to make sure the do not have K, as it will really goof up your INR.
b. Our Boston cardio is constantly telling us that mitral valve replacement vs repair, is a very difficult trauma for the heart. More difficult to recover from than the aortic replacement. I guess they have to open up the heart on the mitral, as with the aortic they just do it from the top. You really can't compare the recover periods. My husband had both done at the same time, and now his tricuspid valve has a severe leak. So his CO is compromised.
c. I understand it is common after having OH surgery to have palpitations, etc. You just have to take ist slow, and tgive it some time.
d. Watch your weight. If you gain more than 3 lbs. in 24 hours, call the cardio promptly. He will get you on a diuretic.
e. Fast heart rate is common with anemia. Most folks have anemia after getting out of surgery Mechanical valves also do some damage to the red blood cells as they shut, so most valve patients have a lowered blood count. Bottom line you need folic acid and iron....but, by Dr.'s orders only. I am certain he knows what he is doing.
f. Do not compare your recovery with by-pass surgery....and do NOT let anyone else compare it. The surgery you had was MUCH more complex, and the heart was opened. Take it easy, my friend.
Best wishes.
Marybeth