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I hope all is well with everyone on the forum. It's been a few months since I've posted. My wife and I just celebrated our 20th wedding annivesary and we just upgraded her wedding band. I am also considering updating my wedding band and was curious if my Warfarin therapy would cause an...

I thought I would drop by and say hello to everyone. Today is my St. Jude Aortic heart valve's 10-year birthday. Things are going well, I feel great and my INR has been rock solid for three years with only 5 mg of daily Coumadin. I can't believe it's already been 10 years. I'm hoping for...

Hi gang. I hope all is well. I haven't posted in awhile, however I have been checking in and reading updates, etc. I'm hoping someone who has a similar pre-existing condition (artificial aortic heart valve) can help me. I have been working in Corporate America my whole career and have...

My cardiologist suggested that since I have now been on Warafin for 5 years, I might consider an at-home machine for weekly tests vs. my current once per month clinic blood draw. I have to confirm whether my insurance will help and at what percentage. Now is the time of year I can plan for...

Although I'm a hard core Chicago White Sox fan, Aaron Boone has now become the player that I am most rooting for. He had OHS in late March to replace his Aortic valve and was able to get back to the major leagues less than six months later! Great story! Another high-profile example of this...

August 29th, 2003. It was about this time of day I woke up gagging on the breathing tube. Five years later and approximately 157M clicks later, it's going strong with no problems. Thanks to all the people, support and feedback on this site! :)

Has anyone noticed a change in the phsyical impact of sleep (or lack there of) post surgery? I had a pretty hectic schedule the last few weeks and unfortunately, suffered through a 5-day period where I only averaged about 5 hours of sleep per night. When I was younger and pre-op, I would...

I was wondering how many of you approached your career post operation? I was 40 years old when I had my AVR due to a bicuspid, failing valve and in my "career prime" (whatever that means). Up to that point, I was climbing the corporate ladder and seemed to enjoy the challenges, etc. Post...

My Cardio has me on a combined Altace/Toprol XL to help control my BP. He indicated it was OK for me to combine the meds with my coumadin and vitamin intake. I have been taking the meds together around 6PM each day over the past year. Lately, I got a little lazy and have taken the meds later...

Almost 4 years post op and I still have occassional palps when I lie down. I usually notice this at bedtime and I wonder if I just tend to notice them when lying down vs. standing or sitting upright. Has anyone else experienced similar feelings? It doesn't happen all the time, just...

My cardio has me on a combination of Altace and Toprol XL to help me reduce my 140/90 BP hypertension. Ever since I started this combination, I've noticed a ringing in my ears. Enough where I no longer hear my mechanical valve click like I used to. The Toprol XL information pamphlet indicates...

In reading the various posts concerning leaking original valves and even replacement/mechanical valves, can one "hear" the murmur or leak using a stethascope (sp?)? My PCP gave me an extra one after my surgery as sort of a "gift" when I asked him to explain what he heard. He told me to use it...

I'm curious if anyone on this forum has struggled with high blood pressure and what remedies have worked? I never had high BP (140/95 avg.) prior to my AVR three years ago. I'm relatively young (43) and I'm frustrated that this is causing me so much stress (which probably contributes to the...

As a follow-up to my thread on Altace not working for me, I met with my cardio earlier today. As a result, we are now going to try Lotrel. Per the information he supplied and quick internet research session, this is a combo ACE inhibitor and channel blocker. The dosage is 10mg Ace and 5mg...

My next cardio appointment is in two weeks. 6-months ago he put me on 5mg of Altace to get my BP down from 140/95 range. At first it worked and I logged consistent 120/80-ish readings. The BP then crept back up and he increased the dosage to 10mg. Again it worked for awhile and has crept...

Even 3 years post-op, I occassionaly feel some heart beat irregularities. I was wondering if there is a difference and/or cause between a missed beat (example - regular beats followed by a pause) and subsequent beats (back-to-back quick beats). This only happens when I drink too much...

Just returned from my annual cardio appointment today. Good news is that the echo (first one since surgery 2.5 years ago) came back fine with the St. Jude clicking away fine. However, I'm still hanging around the 140/90 BP range so my cardio wants me to try 5mg of Altace. Post surgery, I...

Hi. For all you "mechanical aortic valvers" out there, I have a questions on medication... How many of you are on/off other types of meds? With the exception of the Coumadin, are you on any other medication? The reason I ask is that I had my AVR surgery 2.5 years ago. I was very intent on...

Hi all. I was curious if anyone else has experienced higher blood pressure post surgery? I'm 42 years young and prior to my AVR two years ago, never had high blood pressure. I had my annual cardio exam yesterday and my readings were 172/82 and 175/80. I know there is a "white coat" syndrome...

As a St. Jude Mechanical Valve user, I often wondered why the artificial valve is designed basically as a bicuspid valve? I had a natural bicuspid and had to have it replaced due to a bacterial infection caused by oral surgery. Or so they say. :confused: Anyway, I was wondering why the...