Adam's Heart Valve Surgery Blog

Cindy just sent me this great email. Given her unique story, I thought you might really enjoy it.

Hi Adam,

I have written you before about the recovery from heart valve surgery. We exchanged emails about when you really felt healed. Last year, I had mitral and tricuspid valve repair by Dr. David Adams in New York — even though I live in California.

We just returned from our summer vacation in Jackson, Wyoming. While I’ve been there many times, this experience was SO different!!!

Cindy & Rich Tarver, Double Heart Valve Repair Patient, Hiking at 7,000 Feet Post-op

I was able to hike and SEE lakes that I never could see before! Prior to surgery, the altitude was too much for my severely damaged valve.  (So you know, I’ve had problems with mitral valve prolapse since childhood, gradually getting to the point of 100% mitral regurgitation with calcified leaflets.)

This year, I was hiking at 7,000 feet with NO shortness of breath!

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Here’s an interesting question from Julie about heart valve stenosis and enlarged hearts.

Julie writes to me, “Adam – Like you, I was diagnosed with heart valve stenosis and an enlarged heart. I’m just curious. How big can a dilated heart get before failure? 20% bigger? 50% bigger? Any thoughts? Thanks, Julie”

I wanted an expert opinion for Julie’s question, so I contacted Dr. Kevin Accola, M.D., one of the leading heart valve surgeons from Florida Hospital Cardiovascular Institute. (As you might recall, Dr. Accola has operated on several patients, like Scott Nieman, that regularly visit this blog.)

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This morning, I came across a helpful, easy-to-understand video about aortic valve surgery and aortic valve disease. The video, which is a great introduction for patients and caregivers, features two of the leading heart valve surgeons – Dr. Gosta Pettersson and Dr. Lars Svensson.

To watch the video, simply press the play button above. Also, please make that sound on your computer is turned on. If you would like to learn more about the topics covered in this video, click any of the hyperlinks provided below:

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When two, leading heart valve surgeons come together at an established cardiac care program, the expectations for success are high.

That said, it shouldn’t surprise you that Dr. David Adams and Dr. Paul Stelzer have transformed this hypothetical situation into reality at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Dr. Paul Stelzer, Me (Adam) & Dr. David Adams

Since Dr. Adams took over the program in 2002 and Dr. Stelzer joined the staff in 2007, Mount Sinai’s heart program has soared 21 rankings in U.S. News and World Report’s annual survey of cardiac centers.

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