Recent content by Jerry D

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  1. J

    Do you have sternum pain after open heart surgery?

    Yes, I used the heart pillow and did not drive for 3 months. My surgeon noted that the surgery is "violent" and traumatic to the sternum and just give it time to heal. It took about six months before I could stop hearing my hear beat at night in bed. Take the time to heal. (I was back...
  2. J

    Afib 6.75 years after OHS AVR??!!! WTF!!!??

    I had OHS and an Edwards Lifesciences aortic valve in 2018 (69 years old). Had A-fib three months later. Was controlled with diltiazem for three years, and then had a bout again. Had an ablation for A-fib and A-flutter in December 2021. Good for 2 more years, and then had an ablation for a new...
  3. J

    A-Fib after Aortic Valve Replacement

    I had a tissue AVR in 2018 and had a case of a-fib 4 months later. Went to ER, had an infusion, and was in sinus rhythm in a few hours. I was in sinus for 3 years after that, but had an episode of light-headedness in the fall of 2021. I was put on Xeralto and had an ablation for flutter and fib...
  4. J

    Afib

    I developed A-fib and A-flutter after my OHS AVR (bio) in 2018. I was put on diltiazem. I had an episode in fall of 2021. I was put on Xarelto blood thinner and I had an ablation for both the fib and flutter in December. This past spring the fib and flutter came back in different parts of my...
  5. J

    Just found out I have a BAV

    I had OHS and an Edwards Lifesciences tissue valve at age 69--I am now 74. I am a competitive 6-man outrigger canoe coach and paddler. I exercise daily (kettlebell mostly) and do major work around the house and still work full time. I am on Xeralto for A-fib (fairly common after OHS). I hated...
  6. J

    Surgery Tomorrow

    I carry my Edward Lifesciences card on me at all times--just in case.
  7. J

    9 Questions for Those with BioProsthetic (Tissue) Valves

    1. At what age did you get your bio-prosthetic valve? 69 (Edwards Lifesciences bovine) 2. How long have you had your bio-prosthetic valve for? 5 plus years 3. If your valve failed, what was the reason? bicuspid stenosis 4. Are there any medications you have had to take after surgery...
  8. J

    A-Fib after Aortic Valve Replacement

    Thanks for your response. Yes, I am on Xeralto and suspect they will keep me on it forever. Fortunately I am asymptomatic. Be well and take care.
  9. J

    A-Fib after Aortic Valve Replacement

    Thank you for your responses. Very helpful.
  10. J

    A-Fib after Aortic Valve Replacement

    I had a bovine aortic valve replacement in March 2018. Recovered pretty quickly and was back paddling an outrigger by late July. I did have an a-fib occurrence in July but recovered quickly. Doc put me on diltiazem. Did the full race season in 2019, and then the next two seasons were...
  11. J

    AVR is done. Going home.

    I was out in two days after surgery for a biologic AVR (open heart surgery) in 2018. Essentially, they told me I was safer at home from infection than in the hospital!
  12. J

    Aortic valve

    I was waiting for the less invasive aortic valve replacement, but then I had an "episode"--nearly passing out on a hike up a hill--and my cardiologist said I could wait no more. I had open heart surgery and a bovine valve from Edwards Lifesciences. I was home in 3 days, back to work part-time...
  13. J

    Exercising with various aort problems

    I had a bicuspid aortic valve and had to have it replaced by open heart in May 2018 (cow valve). I was pretty active before that, racing outrigger canoes, biking, hiking, and lifting at the gym. Reading up about post-surgery exercise after the surgery, people would say that they could go back...
  14. J

    Returning to exercise after valve surgery

    I had AVR (cow valve) in April 2018. I was back paddling a one-man outrigger in July. (Back to work in June). I did have the advantage of 6 weeks of cardian rehab, and strongly recommend the program if it is available to you. I did not race that summer, but I was walking a lot (and with my bad...
  15. J

    How to best preserve the valve

    I did not have high BP or bad cholesterol before my aortic valve replacement (bovine), but my cardiologist put me on low dose atenolol and atorvastin (Lipitor) after the surgery. I had a couple of afib episodes in the three months after the surgery (one brought me to the ER) and he put me...
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