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I was a very active 43 when I had it done. It was, indeed, a hard decision. However, I did a lot of research before making my decision. I chose an On-X mechanical valve because I did not want to go through the surgery again, and the On-X had the potential to go reduced anticoagulant or...

This is exactly how my problem was found. My heart was skipping beats. Well, the problem with skipping beats turned out to be simple acid reflux...easily treatable. However, the doc also heart something else in there that concerned him...which lead to a valve replacement. I started taking...

I had always been fit and muscular before surgery. Right after surgery, I lost 10 lbs. Once I got my appetite back, I started gaining, even with a pretty agressive exercise routine. I am now about 15 lbs over my weight before the surgery, even though I still exercise. I can attribute a SMALL...

I had the on-x installed about a year and a half ago. I'm now 45 years old. All is well so far. I was very physically active before and still so today. I exercise by running/walking, light weights, biking as well as hunt, fish, and woodwork. Most of the time, I forget I have an artificial...

Yep. Matter of fact, that's how my valve problem was discovered. Irregular heartbeats caused by GERD. Before my surgery, (and even now) I started taking 2 zantac a day. As long as I do this, no skipped beats, unless I get a stomach virus or something not controled by zantac. I asked my...

Count yourself LUCKY! Everything tasted like metal to me for about 3 weeks. Best weight loss plan ever! Pretty sure it was the anasthetic.

I'm not sure I buy the "reduced opening" line altogether. My valve before surgery was 2.0cm. My new mechanical valve opening is 2.5cm. By that reasoning, I should be faster...but I just ain't. I tend to think it has more to do with the valve efficiency, the way it opens/shuts and the...

Tom, I too, am a long time runner since high school. Never fast enough to lead the pack, but definitely a strong, competitive "middle of the packer". I had surgery last year at 43. I knew going in, from reading this forum, my running times were going to decline. Indeed they have. Few, if...

Sean, Look at it this way. You are going to have to have it done at some point anyway. Sooner is better than waiting too long. If the surgeon thinks it's necessary now, I wouldn't hesitate. With my own experience, I had been closely monitored for over 2 years. Then an annual echo showed...

Angela, I'd be very leary of ANY doctor who was against me getting a second opinion or looking at other available options. I'm sorry, but when I'm faced with a decision like this, I want to make the decision I can best live with! By the way, I have the On-X valve and take coumadin. Like you...

Harry, I am now a 44 year old guy with a similar life style as your. I had my aortic valve replaced with an On-X back in August of '07. I was back at work (light duty) at 4 weeks. My surgeon gave me clearance to go back, light duty, at 2 weeks, but I had plenty of sick leave and opted to stay...

Howdy Ruthie and welcome to NC. This might be some incentive for you. A friend of mine had OHS just before Christmas for a blockage. When he asked the Doc's when he and wifey could have sex, the Doc told him as soon as he could climb a set of stairs normally. Saw him about a month after...

Just wanted to put my .02 cent in. I has surgery in Aug. and got the On-X in the aortic position. The coumadin thing was an issue for me, because I was an extremely active 43 year old. My job is outdoors doing manual labor. I hunt, fish, woodwork, garden, mechanic, and do-it-yourself all the...

Mines about 8-9 inches. I was kinda dissapointed in the length, but didn't even ask beforehand. All I knew is that the surgeon said to get an On-x from him, i'd get a full sternotomy. I REALLY WANTED the On-X. Crap! There went my chances to fulfill my dream of becoming an underwear...

Mine is the aortic valve and I have the On-X. In the beginning, the doc was keeping my INR about 2.0-2.5. We had a hard time stabilizing it. (it kept dropping). I guess, for my situation, 3.8 would be a bit on the high side. The doc's office even said that reading would warrant a doseage...

Doug I too, am very active but about 10 years older. I run, lift and ride bike some and have a phyically demanding job also. I think my cardio allowed me to do some "light" running at 6 weeks. I didn't get the "all clear" to "do whatever I want" until 3 months. This included weight lifting...

Howdy folks, My cardio has no experience with allowing his patients to use home monitoring machines and has always had them have blood drawn at the hospital lab. I convinced him to allow me to get a home monitor (coaguchek xs). He is dubious of the machines accuracy and insisted on compairing...

I had an On-X installed this past Aug. I did a lot of research to help me decide. What it came down to is mutiple things. On-X has been used for over 10 years without any problems. The flow dianamics are better than any other currently available mechanical valve, the incendent of stroke is...

Johnnycake, I had my bicuspid aortic valve replaced back in Aug. at age 43. I lead a fairly "rough and tumble" lifestyle and was a little worried about choosing a mechanical valve because of the coumadin issues. I finally decided on an On-X mechanical because I didn' t want a "do over" in 10...

Nelle, This is just my opinion, but if/when my heart began to interfear with my lifestyle, then it's time to have something done, regardless of what the cardiologists say. Secondly, my theory is "do it while you are relatively healthy". That way, your body is strong and your recovery will...