Adam's Heart Valve Surgery Blog

Ted just sent me an email that rekindled a memory about my stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) following heart valve surgery.

He writes, “Adam – My wife is going in for aortic valve replacement next week. I want to support her morning, noon and night. Do you know if I will be able to stay in the ICU overnight with her? Thanks, Ted”

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Jim just sent me this question about post-operative echocardiograms. He writes, “Adam – How often should an echocardiogram be performed after surgery. I had my aortic valve replaced. Thanks, Jim”

As I’ve shared before, each patient situation is unique. However, unless there are post-operative complications, many of the patients I speak with have an echocardiogram performed once a year. FYI, I’m one of those patients. Each December, I spend 30 minutes with Loretta, the technician at Torrance Memorial Hospital, for the echocardiogram. After that, Dr. Rosin, my cardiologist, reviews the film with me. So far, so good.

If you would like to learn more about echocardiograms, I just found this educational video that is pretty helpful. I also found the video below which addresses mitral regurgitation.

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I just received this insightful email from Steve, who recently had heart valve surgery. I thought you might really enjoy it… So, here it is:

Steve Miller -Heart Valve Replacement Patient

Dear Adam -  Congratulations on getting that article published in The Chicago Tribune! Also, thank you for writing such an informative and helpful book. I am a nine week recipient of a St. Jude’s mechanical aortic valve. It is working well and I am on my way to full recovery.

I would like to share the following tips, thoughts and ideas – many of which you previously mentioned – to stress their importance to fellow patients.

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I just received an interesting question from Nicole about sleeping on your stomach after open heart surgery.

Nicole writes, “Adam – I had my mitral valve repaired 2 weeks ago. The surgeon used a sternotomy, so my chest is still sore. I’m a tummy sleeper, so I’m not sleeping well. How long until I can sleep on my stomach? Thanks! Nicole”

Like Nicole, I am a tummy sleeper as well.

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