Adam’s Heart Valve Surgery Blog

I really, really, really encourage patients to attend a cardiac rehabilitation program after heart valve surgery.

As I personally learned during my early recovery, cardiac rehab can greatly enhance the physical and mental well-being of patients while minimizing post-operative issues like cardiac depression.

New medical studies and patient stories (e.g. Charles Harrall) continue to illustrate the positive effects of cardiac rehab programs for patients following a cardiac event - heart attack, CABG or valve surgery. Still, research suggests that cardiac rehabilitation is under-utilized by the patient community.

As another source of encouragement for patients to enroll in cardiac rehab, I just found this interesting video which discusses the benefits of these programs. Simply click the “play” button in the video above and please make sure the sound on your computer is on.

I hope this helps you further understand the benefits of cardiac rehab.

Keep on tickin!

P.S. To leave a comment, please click here.

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.

I just received a great question from Jenny about sleep after heart valve surgery.

Jenny writes, “Adam, I had mitral valve replacement seven days ago for regurgitation. I’m struggling a bit as I deal with the some of the post-operative challenges you address in your book. I’m really having an issue getting a good night of sleep. Sleeping at the hospital was tough enough. But, it’s gotten worse since I came home. I feel like a Zombie. And, the night sweats continue. Is this common? Thanks, Jenny”

Over the years, I have spoke many patients - especially tummy sleepers - that have expressed several sleep problems following heart valve surgery. Some of those problems include:

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One of the critcal learnings from my heart valve surgery experience was:

The patient (or their caregiver) must, at times, be tenacious. We must, at times, ask questions that may or may not be silly. We must, at times, stand up for ourselves and our hearts. Ultimately… we must, at all times, be our own, best advocate.

I am reminded of this belief as my inbox is often filled with patient and caregiver emails that radiate frustration and confusion. Many of these emails begin, “Adam, I really need to vent right now. I’m having problems with __________.” However you chose to fill-in that blank, I can relate.

Patrick Hightower - Heart Valve Surgery Patient

Recently, I received a patient story that illustrates just how far certain patients and caregivers will go to get the best care. Here, for your review, is the educational and inspirational story of Patrick Hightower:

Patrick’s Minimally Invasive Scars

Adam, I had this picture taken 24 days after my heart valve surgery on August 9, 2009.  As you can see, my main incision is about 2 1/2 inches long. I also have a 1/2 inch scar just below it - which was for the drain line.

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Together, as patients and caregivers, we’ve learned that the human heart can do some odd things after valve repair and valve replacement surgery. In particular, the heart can pound a little louder, the heart can beat a little faster and, if you received a mechanical valve replacement, the heart might make a clicking noise.

That said, I just received an interesting question from Rita specific to very fast heart rates after heart valve surgery.

She writes, “Hi Adam - I have a question. Has anyone had ventricular tachycardia after mitral valve replacement. For ten months, I’ve been telling the doctors about the episodes I’m having. Finally, an episode was caught on EKG while I was on treadmill. They are now going to do an EP study and possible ablation. The doctors are looking for scarring among other things. Plus, the doctors may also look to see if anything is genetic. The VTAC episodes are really scary to say the least. Have any patients on your awesome blog experienced this? I would love to hear the outcome. I had atrial fibrillation after surgery. Now, I am wondering if it was VTAC the whole time? Thanks, Rita”

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