Adam’s Heart Valve Surgery Blog

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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I just received a set of emails from Robin about a metallic taste in her mouth after heart valve surgery. So you know, Robin is not the only patient to send me questions about this strange, surgical after taste.

In his first email, Robin writes, “Ever since my aortic valve replacement surgery I have had a nasty metallic taste in my mouth.  It gets especially bad if I eat anything sweet. The cardiologist theorizes that it is a by product of the heart-lung machine. Anybody else experience it? Anybody have any ideas of how to get rid of it? Thanks, Robin”

Then, I received a follow-up note from Robin with a short-term remedy to this issue.

Here is what Robin writes, “Since I last wrote to you I found a website that suggested gargling with water and a 1/4 tsp of baking soda.  It worked!!!  It brought relief at least for a few hours.  Ultimately, the bad taste did go away on its own, but the baking soda gets a great assist. Robin”

Thanks Robin for sharing your remedy!

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.

Edwards Lifesciences, the world’s largest heart valve replacement manufacturer, continued to impress industrial and financial analysts after it reported another great earnings report earlier this week.

The company, based in Irvine, California, saw its profits more than double thanks to rising sales of replacement heart valves - including its new valve, known as the Edwards SAPIEN Valve.

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Happy Friday!

I’ve been lucky to spend time in Stockholm - mostly for work. In the summer, it is absolutely beautiful. In the winter…. Burrrrrrrrrrrr… It’s mighty cold and dark.

Unfortunately, I missed this “fun experiment” on their public transit system. I hope you enjoy what happens when The Fun Theory plays around with the stairs of a Stockholm subway station.

Have a great weekend!

Keep on tickin!

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