Adam’s Heart Valve Surgery Blog

As we have seen through the inspiring stories of Teppo Numminen (NHL hockey star) and Aaron Boone (MLB baseball star), several athletes have returned to professional sports after heart valve surgery.

Here is a great story about competitive cyclist, Michael Gnatek. At 43 years of age, Michael required mitral valve repair surgery due to a mitral valve prolapse. To treat his leaky heart valve, which caused a life-long heart murmur, Dr. Paul Massimiano from Inova Health System in Virginia used a minimally invasive approach.

One of the most amazing elements of Michael’s story is how quickly he was discharged from the hospital…. One day! However, please remember, each patient case is unique. As my research suggests, the average patient stay in the hospital is about five days.

Patient Days In Hospital Following Valve Surgery

I  hope you enjoyed this video about Michael Gnatek and Dr. Paul Massimiano.

Keep on tickin!

P.S. Would you like to celebrate your surgeon? Now, you can join over 450 patients who have shared their surgical experiences at our new Heart Valve Surgeon Database. Click here to learn more.

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 78 former valve surgery patients to help patients and caregivers better understand the problems, the opportunities and the realities of heart valve surgery. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.

It is perhaps one of the most common and appropriate questions I receive from patients and their caregivers. That question is, “What is my life expectancy after heart valve surgery?”

As we all know, every patient case is unique. But, the research suggests that life expectancy after heart valve surgery continues to improve thanks to incredible advancements in medical technology and surgical know-how. Here is some data about life expectancy after heart valve surgery by age.

Life Expectancy After Heart Valve Surgery
(St. Jude Medical)

To this point, I was just reading a very interesting story in the Sentinel-Tribune about Bobby Baker.

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It feels great to receive and share patient success stories from all over the world. That said, I thought you might enjoy reading about Cindy, her horse (Mosquito) and her recovery from heart valve repair surgery. She writes…

Hey Adam,

I wrote you a little while back. As you may recall, I was curious to know how and when you knew you were fully recovered after heart valve surgery. Well… I have good news to share. Today was my first time back on my horse, Mosquito!!!

Cindy Rides Mosquito For The First Time After
Heart Valve Repair For Mitral Valve Prolapse

It was my nine-month anniversary of mitral valve prolapse repair and it was a picture perfect day here in California. My husband snapped this photo of us.

My horse, Mosquito, had not had anyone on his back since last December. So, we are getting our bearings here at home before heading to Montana de Oro State Park for a “real” horseride.

Another milestone in the recovery process! YES!!

Thanks again for your heart valve surgery book, your blog and your help through this journey.  I know you were a great benefit to my recovery.

Cindy Tarver

I just received a great patient story from Connie Batich. Considering that Connie’s note touches on so many elements of heart valve surgery - diagnosis, symptoms, second opinions, angiograms, vent tubes, a-fib, recovery - I thought you might appreciate reading about her experience. Here is what Connie wrote to me:

Adam,

We both had heart valve surgery. Only difference.. You were 33 and I am 85!

I’ve had a heart murmur all my life. But, in 1996, I felt palpitations and went to a cardiologist who diagnosed stenosis of the aortic valve. Since then, I’ve seen a cardiologist yearly for an echocardiogram and stress test. Then, about two years ago, my cardiologist called me all excited that my stenosis was severe and I should have the valve replaced right then-and-there!

Connie Batich, Heart Valve Surgery Patient

Well, my family wanted a second opinion… So, I went to another cardiologist who said, “Well, let’s wait until you get symptoms.”

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