Looking back on 2009, it seems like heart valve surgery was one of the most popular topics within cardiac care.

On one hand, many public figures were treated for valvular disorders including aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation. On the other hand, several medical advances relative to heart valve surgery were covered in research journals, on radio, television and across the Internet.

Beyond the media, this global community of patients, caregivers and surgeons continued to actively discuss many personal topics that impacted our own, heart valve surgery experiences throughout the past year.

That said, I just reviewed all 305 blogs posted during 2009 in an effort to highlight the Top 10 Heart Valve Surgery Blogs. I used several factors including, but not limited to, web traffic reports, your comments and your emails to identify the top blogs.

So you know, this was a lot harder than expected. As you will see below, there were three ties.

Without further ado, here are your Top 10 Blogs for 2009:

10. To start, there was a tie for tenth place. “Did You Travel For Heart Valve Surgery?” triggered an interesting discussion among many future and former patients about their willingness to travel across the country (or across the world) for heart valve treatment.

Mary Billings – Heart Valve Surgery Patient
(Traveled From Fiji To Los Angeles)

The other blog in the tenth spot, “How Long Were You In The Intensive Care Unit?”, created a very interactive discussion with 35+ patient comments. The blog emphasized a critical understanding of cardiac surgery… That all patient cases are unique.

Charles Alexander – In The Intensive Care Unit

9. Selecting a heart valve replacement device – porcine, bovine, mechanical, homograft – is not always an easy process. “What Is Life Like On Coumadin?” empowered patients with first-hand information about living on anticoagulants after a mechanical valve replacement.

8. There was also a tie for the eighth position on our Top 10 list… First, Given the concern over the H1N1 virus, “Are Flu Shots and Swine Flu Vaccines Safe After Heart Valve Surgery?” created a traffic burst in October.

Swine Flu (H1N1) Virus

The second blog in the eighth position, “Elizabeth Taylor, A MitraClip Success Story”, featured our first patient success story with the MitraClip. The MitraClip is a new, minimally invasive technology that uses a catheter-based approach for treating mitral regurgitation.

7. Expectation management is critical for patients as they proceed through heart valve surgery. Last February, we posted “What Was The Worst Thing About The Hospital?” to help patients know what to “watch out for” as they were admitted to the hospital. Over 30 patients offered very useful tips and advice on this topic.

6. Sadly, “In Memory of Valerie Fisher Raley Moriarity” reminded us that heart valve surgery is not without its risks.

Valerie Fisher Raley Moriarty (1980-2009)

5.  “Did You Use A Recliner After Heart Valve Surgery?” explored one patient option after returning home from the hospital.

4. There was also a tie for the fourth position on our Top 10 list… In March, two well-known personalities created significant traffic at our website. First, we learned about Barbara Bush’s aortic valve replacement. Then, news came of Robin Williams’ aortic cow valve replacement and mitral valve repair.

3. After Fainting While Biking, Randy Is “Lucky To Be Alive” illustrated the dangers of untreated heart valve disease and the medical miracle of heart valve surgery.

Randy With Cheryl, His Wife – Two Days After Surgery

2. With over 50 comments, “Did Your Heart Pound Like Crazy After Valve Surgery?” helped us understand a somewhat dislocating patient experience following heart valve surgery.

1. As for the number one blog of 2009…

Since April, this community of patients, caregivers and surgeons have worked together to launch a very unique, online tool known as the Heart Valve Surgeon Database. Without a doubt, the blogs specific to this project experienced overwhelming interest, comments and active participation during 2009. For example, the first blog on this topic generated over 80 comments.

Recently, a brand new version of the surgeon database launched with several advanced features and 450+ surgeon profiles. You can learn more about this special tool at “New Heart Valve Surgeon Database Launches”.

Well, there you have it… The Top 10 Heart Valve Surgery Blogs Of 2009. Considering this was our first top ten list, I think we did pretty good!

Thanks to everybody for your comments, ideas and thoughts over the past year. Because of your efforts, this website continues to support patients and caregivers throughout their heart valve surgery experiences – from diagnosis to recovery.

Here’s To Your Health And Happiness In 2010!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Keep on tickin!

As the new year begins, I wanted you to know that I recently began shipping advanced copies of the new 2010 edition of my book, The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery.

Some highlights of the fully-revised 2010 edition include:

• Over 40 pages of new information specific to heart valve replacement and heart valve repair surgery.
• References to over 135 patient experiences with heart valve surgery (including more than 10 new patient success stories).
• A new Top 30 Most Recommended Surgeons listing.
• 20 more medical diagrams and patient pictures are included to help you better understand heart valve surgery from the patient perspective.
• Special eBook interactive hyperlinks to all Internet references within the text.

I’ve shown advanced copies of the revised book to several patients, caregivers and surgeons. So far, the response has been very favorable. In fact, this morning I received a note from Dr. Marc Gillinov, the staff cardiac surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic who recently performed double valve surgery on Robin Williams, the actor/comedian.

Dr. Marc Gillinov – Cleveland Clinic Staff Cardiac Surgeon
(Robin Williams’ Heart Valve Surgeon)

Doctor Gillinov wrote, “Adam – The 2010 edition is terrific. For most patients, heart surgery is an emotionally stressful step into the unknown. Your book answers key questions, reassures readers, and let’s patients know that they are not alone. Great job!”

Please note… The new edition is available at this website only. And, the book comes with a 100% money-back guarantee. To learn more about the revised 2010 edition, please click here.

Keep on tickin!

About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. This unique book integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of 135 former valve surgery patients to help patients and caregivers better understand the problems, the opportunities and the realities of heart valve surgery.

I just received an interesting email from Sandy which addresses a key point and warning for patients – especially women. That said, I thought you might like to learn more about Sandy’s heart valve surgery experience. Here is what she wrote to me:

Dear Adam,

I am a 52-year old female. I had a mitral valve prolapse / heart murmur for 10+ years. So you know, I was never told I might need surgery someday. However, after my annual echocardiogram, the cardiologist informed me that I had severe regurgitation and an enlarged heart. At the time, my only symptom was fatigue.

Crooked Open Heart Surgery Scar

Well… I am extremely thankful and truly overflowing with gratitude that my doctors diagnosed my condition. My valve was repaired without any complications and I feel like I have a new heart!

However…

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Carole just sent me an email that touches on a common, patient emotion prior to surgery… fear.

In her note she writes, “Adam – Next week I am scheduled for surgery due to severe mitral regurgitation resulting from a prolapsed valve. I’ve known about this for over 15 years but I can’t believe the time is finally here. Thank you for your book and your blog. However, even with all the helpful information, I’m still scared. As the surgery approaches, I’m not sleeping well – which makes the situation even worse. I have to ask… Do you have any final pieces of advice to calm my fears? Thanks for all you do, Carole”

Like many of you, I can relate to Carole’s concerns as she prepares for surgery. Although statistics suggest most patients live longer, healthier lives after heart valve surgery, that does not stop fear from rattling our consciousness.

So… In response to Carole’s question, I do have two, final bits of advice specific to fear management that might help.

First, a long time ago, one of my mentors shared with me the hidden truth about fear. He taught me that fear is really nothing more than an acronym… F.E.A.R. That acronym stands for Fantasized Experiences Appearing Real.

Over the past twenty years, I have used this acronym to reduce stress and transform the reality of most “fearful” occurrences. To truly understand this point, consider all that you have feared in your life. Has most of that F.E.A.R. come true? My gut tells me you might answer that question with a simple “no”.

My second piece of advice is best revealed through a special poem that was offered to me by a friend during a difficult time in my life. While there is debate about who actually wrote the poem (Christopher Logue or Guillaume Apollinaire), the inspirational message is undeniably clear.

The poem is called, “Come To The Edge”:

“Come to the edge,” he said.
“But, we are afraid,” they said.

“Come to the edge,” he said.
“But, it’s so high,” they said.

“Come to the edge,” he said.
“But, we might fall,” they said.

“Come to the edge…” he said.

They came…

He pushed…

They flew!

I hope all the patients out there (including Carole) are ready to fly – metaphorically speaking. Sometimes, as the poem alludes, we just need a little push to get past the F.E.A.R.

If you like, please consider this a loving, virtual push from me to you.

Remember… Although cardiac surgery is not risk-less, statistics suggest your surgery is likely to be a success. But, please, please, please take the time to understand your valvular disorder, get a second opinion, evaluate your surgical options, research your potential surgeons and properly prepare for the recovery.

Keep on tickin!

P.S. If you have any calming thoughts or ideas to share, please click here to leave a comment. Or, scroll down to read 25+ patient responses to this blog.

In the past, we’ve discussed how patients, like Sylvia Woolworth, got physically and mentally fit prior to heart valve surgery. Specific to this topic, I recently opened an email from Dr. Michael Baity, a retired dentist from Michigan. Dr. Baity just had aortic valve replacement surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. Here is what he wrote to me:

Hi Adam – I live about 450 miles north of Cleveland, way up by the Mackinaw Bridge (Michigan).  I am retired but was a dental specialist (Periodontics). I also taught graduate Periodontics at the University of Michigan, part time, for fifteen years, so I have had a lot of academic medicine as well as clinical practice.

Dr. Michael Baity – Heart Valve Surgery Patient

Specific to heart surgery, distance from my home was not a consideration… experience and safety were.

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