Helen's Heart Valve Journal

I joined our local health club because they have an indoor track and Tai Chi classes available. I try to walk the track (13 rounds is a mile) at least 2 - 3 times a week. After walking one mile yesterday I was able for the first time in almost 30 years to actually slowly jog one round (1/13 mile)!! My heart rate was up to @ 168 but came right down after a short rest. During walking the rate was steady at @ 135. I could never elevate or slow my heart rate down because with the murmur it was always hight. I think it is working - it takes a long time but I was really proud of myself, even if it was just 1/13 of a mile! :-) I keep on walking.

Hi Marion,
I had Dr. Don Glower. He is THE leading man in that field at Duke. You can check him out online and he does a lot of research in that field. He is very nice to deal with and I was very satisfied what he and his team did for me. He is very dedicated to his patients. I got a repair of the mitral valve (not a replacement-YES!), and the minimal invasive surgery. It is not a cake walk and you will have a large scar under your arm and a couple of smaller ones around your breast BUT it beats breaking your breast bone. Recovery from the surgery is really fast and you have not much pain. You will not feel better right away and the recovery of the heart itself takes time. I got up a flight of stairs yesterday and I did not breath hard or break a sweat. I think I am getting there. Heart rate is still up but I have a feeling it will get better with time. Let me know how it went and I wish you good luck! Helen

It is now @ 11 weeks after my surgery and today is one of these days I am really frustrated. My heart rate is still around 110/115 when I am sitting still. This morning I did lite house work and it went up to 140/145 and stayed there for awhile. I had some cold med last night and a little coffee this morning (I am not into coffee like some people). I basically still feel the same as before the repair and I am angry at myself for not doing better. I like to start running and doing stuff that I have not done for almost 30 years.I bought a Timex heart rate monitor to keep a check on it. I see my doctor next Friday and I hope he is not putting me back on the meds. They really screw me up. While I am writing this my heart rate is down to 115 what is "normal". I feel like I am 100 years old sometimes!!

I heard that East Carolina has a great heart center, too. Talk to your surgeon and see how you "click" with him. I knew when I talked to Dr. Glower at Duke that he was "the one" for me. He basically lives at the hospital, and he came by late in the evening to check on us poor souls. He is no nonsense and you can see he lives for his work and patients. Just see how it goes. Duke recommended me for a diff. surgeon but I really wanted him because he does the minimal invasive surgery. It paid off for me. Good luck and keep us posted. Helen, NC