B
Bill719
Hi all, I'm new to this forum and hope to gain ongoing insights from each others' experiences.
Following an unsuccessful MV repair in 1997 I had it replaced at Cleveland Clinic in 1998. Recovery went well, and I've resumed a very active lifestyle, including a 3mi/day running regimen. However, after 3 years I still haven't gotten back to my old form, and run out of breath prematurely. Stress echo shows that the valve is performing as it should, with no leakage. However, there is quite a bit of "cavitation"...a phenomena which creates water vapor in the blood due to the valve closing rapidly and creating a pressure drop on the entry side. I'm told this cavitation is probably what's affecting my running performance.
Furthermore and of even greater concern, is that even though I'm on a high coumadin dose with typical PT levels of around 5, I still experience occasional "splinters" in my thumb fingernails.... these are small clots. Cardiologist seems clueless, but thinks the cavitation may be contributing, and recommends I moderate exercise. What I mainly want to understand is the clinical cause of these splinters, and what risk level I'm at, and recommendations on lifestyle changes that are based on fact rather than speculation.
Any one have any ideas or similar experiences?
Thanks
Following an unsuccessful MV repair in 1997 I had it replaced at Cleveland Clinic in 1998. Recovery went well, and I've resumed a very active lifestyle, including a 3mi/day running regimen. However, after 3 years I still haven't gotten back to my old form, and run out of breath prematurely. Stress echo shows that the valve is performing as it should, with no leakage. However, there is quite a bit of "cavitation"...a phenomena which creates water vapor in the blood due to the valve closing rapidly and creating a pressure drop on the entry side. I'm told this cavitation is probably what's affecting my running performance.
Furthermore and of even greater concern, is that even though I'm on a high coumadin dose with typical PT levels of around 5, I still experience occasional "splinters" in my thumb fingernails.... these are small clots. Cardiologist seems clueless, but thinks the cavitation may be contributing, and recommends I moderate exercise. What I mainly want to understand is the clinical cause of these splinters, and what risk level I'm at, and recommendations on lifestyle changes that are based on fact rather than speculation.
Any one have any ideas or similar experiences?
Thanks