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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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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...

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.

Thank you for your responses. Very helpful.

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...

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!

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...

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...

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...

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...

I had an aortic valve replacement in May 2018. Bovine from Edwards Life Sciences. I have resumed a very active lifestyle, racing outrigger canoes, hiking and biking. For the past three weeks the air quality in Southern California has been very bad, most days in the unhealthy to very unhealthy...

I had aortic stenosis--a bicuspid valve--and after monitoring it for about ten years, I finally had a "situation"--I semi-passed out while hiking up a steep hill early in the morning after a 2.5 hour paddling practice the night before in April 2018. My cardiologist said he had been expecting...