Recent content by David Robbins

Joe- Thos reponse is well past your posting. Anyways, I have been a lifelong weightlifter and competed in power lifting and bodybuilding in my 20's. I am 69. I had endocarditis in 2008 and had an aortic valve replacement and a redo the same year. I also had a stroke due to the blood bacteria and...

I have a few relatives who were born with Bicuspid Aortic valves, like me, so they may need to be reassessed for valve function before their 50's in case they experience major regurgitation. I am surprise you haven't taken the pneumovax to prevent bouts with pneumonia. I had one after my recovey...

I am 69 and had my aortic valve replaced in March 2008 at 53. They implanted a 27mm St Jude mechanical valve; in July the valve failed and they reoperated implanting a 23mm St Jude. They found a hole in my left ventricle which wasn't discovered in the 2008 diagnosis. The team at Stanford who did...

Hi Lawrence- I'm have the same philosophy. 25mm St Jude implanted July 27, 2008. On Coumadin since then and self test. Always adjust the Coumadin, not the diet. If you followed the doctors recommendations, we may not develop clots, but we may be malnourished without some of the foods they advise...

I think my Stanford cardiologists know the correct INR range for a mechanical aortic heart valve. And, my Internist for 25 years trusts my discipline for taking meds consistently and prescribed the home INR testing system. He built the chart for dosing so I could make dosage changes to maintain...

I had my redo AVR at Stanford. Dr Malidi replaced my St Jude mechanical. I acquired Afib after the surgery, initial treated with attempted cardio versions and Tykosyn meds. Discontinued meds when new cardiologist recommended alternative and safer meds. Returned to hiking and weightlifting 2...

I monitor my INR at home through the Coagchek system. My primary care prescribed this for me as my cardiologist at Dignity doesn’t prescribe home monitoring. They prefer you visit the clinic weekly, which can be a major inconvenience. My primary care doctor prescribed 2.5mg tablets, which allow...

Open chest surgery is accurate for a bypass or other surgery that doesn’t involve actually performing surgery inside the heart where a surgeon is removing, replacing or repairing a heart valve.

I had 2 AVRs in 2008. I was in Afib which was controlled by meds after 2 failed cardioversions. Once I learned of the dangers of Difetalide and sudden heart death I decided to get a 2nd opinion regarding meds for rhythm control. I had serious side effects to 2 other meds and decided not to take...

I had two AVRs in 2008 and have been only on Warfarin since. The cardiologist recommends taking Warfarn and Aspirin combined, but in my case she limited it to Warfarin because of a brain surgery that required a clip on a ruptured artery in my brain. I would consult with a cardiologist who knows...

I lift heavy weights, do long strenuous hikes, sprint and everything that I did before my St Jude Mechanical Aortic heart valve. I am fitter, stronger and faster then people half my age. Doc said that I have no limitations as long as I control my INR. I’ve always been attentive to my diet snd...

I belong to a medical group called Dignity which limits the doctors you can see to those in their network. Previously, at the network of Tenet, the cardiologist would not give me a prescription for the Coagchek home testing. My primary care doctor prescribed and is monitoring the results I call...

I concur. When I met my wife who is a vegetarian, she tried to get me to eat vegetarian, but despite the complete amino acid in a balanced vegetarian diet, not all the aminos are as bioavailable as in meat or fish. She also had such a bland diet, I suggested she use more spices and natural...

I had a St Jude mechanical in March 2008 and a redo in July 2008, where a hole in my heart was mended, as well. I’ve been on 7.5-10mg Warfarin daily since then to maintain 2.5-3.5 INR. I eat whatever I choose, even cranberry juice for prostate health. I supplement with BCAA, EAA, multiple...

Seriously; dose the diet, don’t diet the dose.