Recent content by skier

Consider how much not being active also impacts your mental state. I had substantial exercise restrictions for a year before my aortic valve replacement (mechanical) and aorta repair. I realized that exercise is essential for me both mentally and physically. It's great to be on the other...

Yeah, my cardiologists never mentioned it but referred me to a congenital heart disease specialist for a consult, who brought it up. She also suggested skipping an echo every few years and doing a cardiac CT or cardiac MRI (to reduce radiation exposure). Otherwise, you won't know if you have...

No, I believe a tissue valve in someone super active won't last as long as in someone sedentary. I'm not sure if any studies prove that, but that's what my surgeon told me is the presumption when I chose a mechanical valve.

New bike for me too! Warfarin was my excuse. :D I previously rode gravel trails on my road bike. Fun, but a little sketchy at times. I bought a hardtail mountain bike for gravel, rationalizing that I'll be much less likely to fall and not put junk miles on my full-suspension MTB. N+1!

I'm also on 12.5 mg twice a day and tolerate it well. My initial 25 mg twice daily made me tired and my bp too low. Did you have a bicuspid aortic valve like me? If so, there's another reason to consider staying on Metroprol. Following my surgery, I consulted with a cardiologist...

Consider establishing care with a concierge PCP with a fixed monthly fee and doesn't involve insurance. I will pursue that option if it looks like I won't hit my out-of-pocket max and I want to dump the overpriced at-home monitoring service.

I used to test monthly at the lab to keep my doc happy and prescribing warfarin. I would also test weekly at home with my eBay supplies I bought to benefit from more frequent testing. I wouldn't tell the doc about my testing at home. I'm now on the overpriced at-home testing program covered...

Yes, I think that's the case. IIRC, the studies are around age. Tissue valves have been shown to last longer in older folks, and the presumption is that's because they are more sedentary.

My surgeon told me that the more active you are, the faster a tissue valve will wear out. This was in the context of endurance exercise. I trust he knows what he's talking about. I just checked, and he an author on 197 publications.

The body fat scales are rather inaccurate. If you want to track body fat, consider paying for an accurate test occasionally. A dunk tank is generally considered one of the best. Several body fat trucks in CA travel to health clubs: http://www.bodyfattest.com/locations.html Your lean body...

Why? How large is your aneurysm? My docs didn't want to do surgery until my regurgitation was severe.

I'll just let my ER charts tell my rather embarrassing warfarin overdose story. Sat Jul 30, 2022 55-year-old man presents with concern for warfarin overdose. Patient is status post recent aortic valve replacement in June. He has been on warfarin since then. He typically takes 8.5 mg daily...

Yes! Quoting to emphasize the importance of a pill box. I have a story about overdosing on warfarin two months after my OHS. Not quite ready to tell, but suffice it to say, if I were using a pill box it would have never happened. It scared me enough that I'll be doing a pill box and alarm...

I should add that I'm doing this with the approval of my cardiologists. I don't want anyone to think I'm crazy or to do the same without the blessing from your doc. I was in pretty good condition going into my surgery and have worked my butt off since surgery. I completed thirty sessions of...

What about altitude, say 12,400 feet? That's my heart rate and elevation skiing today!