Comments on: After Fainting While Biking, Randy Is “Lucky To Be Alive”

By: Ken Morris

Ken Morris — Mon, 23 May 2011 18:51:46 +0000

I had my AVR done in December of 2009. I have the ONX valve. Last year, I took up running as a way to get and stay fit. After numerous running events, including a 1/2 marathon last year, I am training for a full marathon this year. Is there any study information about the ONX valve and how well it tolerates the rigors of marathon training? My wife is a little freaked out.

By: Randy Heimerl

Randy Heimerl — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:26:52 +0000

Hi Nancy,
My stay in the hospital was 5 days I beleive. I had mine done at St. Lukes also. The recovery seemed slow while I was recovering. Now when I look back at it, the recovery went quite fast. The difference from week to week was amazing. I strongly suggest going for cardiac rehab after surgery. They get you going while monitoring your vitals at the same time. Also, I am not a doctor but..That 3to 5 yrs. to replacement might be true but continue to get it monitored with echoes. I had some light headedness and had it checked out. I was told I was good for now and come back in a year to get it checked out. I dialed back my workouts and remained asymptomatic. Less than a year later(before my next appointment) I passed out while riding my bike and was told I needed valve replacement immediately. My surgeon said I should of had done months ago. I don’t mean to scare you, but I just would suggest you to keep monitoring it.
Randy

By: Nancy

Nancy — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 01:37:55 +0000

Dear Randy, My husband who is stubborn finally went for a physical and found to have moderate to severe aortic stenosis he has no symptoms. In the process of being worked up has been told by a cardiologist that he will need a valve replacement in 3 to 5 years. We are fairly active walking and biking. We live in Milwaukee so we are being seen by a cardiologist at ST Lukes. My question is how long was your hospital stay how long it took to get back to feeling like yourself? I’m concern that it is just a wait and see when surgery is needed like a time bomb to go off.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:47:11 +0000

Hi Everyone,
I am 47 and coming up on my second surgery June 23, 2010. Diagnosed at birth with BAV i made it to 37 before I passed out jogging and was told the next day that it was surgery time for my valve within a few months. I had been extremely active my whole life with sports, squash, racquetball, running, etc. so I made the decision to go with the Ross Procedure which at the time had the possibility of a lifetime fix without blood thinners. It was my riskiest option but after extensive reseach on my options I had it done in 2000 by a great surgeon who had done many of them before. I found out that you can often choose your surgeon! Other than a setback with a DVT 6 weeks post op I had been back to my previous activity level, 10 ks, tournament squash, etc. for that last 10 years except for weightlifting. I was only taking a baby aspirin a day. Echos in the last year however found an enlargement of the aortic root 5.5 which is forcing my resurgery even though i am not symptomatic yet. Now that they know the root tends to enlarge the Ross is performed with a reinforcement of the root to prevent this from happening. I now have 1 chance or a choice. If they can reinforce the root and adjust the valve (David Procedure) I might be back to my previous activity and baby aspirin again. If they can’t I have choosen to go with the ON-X valve after doing my own research as my best hope of a life time fix with a possibility of as little thinner as possible. I posted this so that others reading will do their own research and evaluate all their options based as much info and feedback as they can find to make their own decisions.
Cheers and luck to you all!
Mike

By: Gary

Gary — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:16:58 +0000

Dear Randy,
I am also an a avid bicyclist on a normal weekend I normally do 35-60 miles. At 54, I also just found out that I need to replace my Aortic valve and have some work done to the aortic because it is enlarged. I know my choices of valves, but truthfully I am not happy with either choice. The Tissue Valve wears out around 10-15 years and the more active you are the quicker you can wear it out. I am petrified of surgery as I hate anything medically. I can’t even watch CSI without turning my head. So to repeat surgery twice in a lifetime is very scary. The second choice at first was very enthused and optmistic this was for me. Until I read about coumadin and all the side effects. I don’t know which is more scary. Normally since I ride my bike so many miles I have on average one fall a year, what would that be like on coumadin? What effects has coumadin have on you? Are you still able to eat normally, did you delete vegetables from your diet? What about social drinking with friends is that a thing of the past? Is the surgery is scary as I think or will I not remember anything.
Anything you can share would be greatly appreciated. I know someone who has the Tissue valve but otherthen 75-85 year old people I haven’t been able to speak with anyone that was on coumadin.
Thanks Gary

By: Randy Heimerl

Randy Heimerl — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:12:25 +0000

Update
I have been feeling great. I am back to doing everything I did before the surgery…except play racquetball. That will change after Thursday as I plan on playing that afternoon. The ON-X study I am in is going great. I have been on Plavix now for about 3 months and have no complaints.At the end of the study which lasts 5 years, I hope to continue on Plavix or a low dose of coumadin.
Randy

By: Paul Smith

Paul Smith — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:24:54 +0000

I am a candiate for aortic valve replacement in the Spring of 2010. I am also an avid cyclilst, hiker, climber, skier, etc. and am concerned about taking anticoagulants with a mechanical valve. I have looked a the ON-X valve as an option and I was wondering how you are doing with it now? How much Coumadin do you need to take with this valve? Have they told you that at some point you may not need to take anticoagulants or just take aspirin? I am 61 (next month). I have almost convinced myself to go with a porcine valve and face replacement again in 15 years or so.

Thanks.

By: Badar Jamal

Badar Jamal — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:43:45 +0000

Ho do you feel after valve replacement – is your life style 100% normal after surgery

By: Andrea Lebrun-Johnson

Andrea Lebrun-Johnson — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:17:04 +0000

Hi Randy, Your story is a touching one. I kinda envy you in a way because you didnt have much time to think about your surgery, it just had to be done. I go in on friday, but Ive had a long time to think about it, and even put it off six months ago when I was told I shouldnt wait any longer. Im 41 and have always been active., and like you an advide cyclist. Its my mitral valve that needs to be repaired or replaced. If they replace it, my doctor is going with the on-x valve. Ive heard a lot of good things and am trying to stay possitive.
Best wishes to you. Take care Andrea

By: rick

rick — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:04:38 +0000

Hi Randy. I have a similar history to you in some ways. E.G, I’m 51 and have an athletic background, having run for the last 35 years and raced marathons and 10ks. I was diagnosed with a heart murmur and a bicuspid aortic valve @2 years ago. The aortic stenosis worsened last year to the point where I couldn’t run more than four or five minutes at a time without taking walking breaks and I was getting chest and arm pain which (foolishly) I kept from my wife and my cardiologist. I had an On-X valve replacement six weeks ago (July 29) and four bypasses as well and am starting to feel much better. I kind of like showing off my scar and hearing the audible “ticking” of that amazing valve. I’ve also signed up for the double blind ‘no coumadin’ study and will probably hear from them in a couple of weeks.
Anyway, all the best with your recovery! I don’t know when I’ll be going for 11mile runs again or at what pace but I’m doing my walking and enjoying being a stay-at-home dad for the first time.
rick, Langley, BC Canada