Recovery Blog - Page 5

By Adam Pick

“Sensitive Keloid Scars? Sternal Wire Bumps?” Asks Josh

By Adam Pick on September 5, 2009

Josh has an interesting set of questions regarding keloid scars and sternal wires.

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“When I Wake Up In The ICU, How Many Tubes Will Be Sticking Out Of Me?” Asks Gwen

By Adam Pick on September 1, 2009

I just received a fantastic question from Gwen about waking up in the intensive care unit after heart valve surgery.

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The Importance Of Support Groups For Heart Surgery Patients?

By Adam Pick on August 27, 2009

Throughout the highs and lows of my heart valve surgery experience, my support group never wavered. Their commitment to me and my recovery was extraordinary considering the challenges (cardiac depression, pain management, Vicodin addiction) I faced.

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“Ventricular Tachycardia After Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery?” Asks Rita

By Adam Pick on August 27, 2009

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.

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“Did Your Enlarged (Dilated) Left Ventricle Return To Normal Size After Surgery?” Asks Sandra

By Adam Pick on August 20, 2009

I just received a great question from Sandra about heart valve disease, enlarged hearts and valve surgery.

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“How Long Will My Dad’s Pumphead Last After Heart Valve Surgery?” Asks Rob

By Adam Pick on August 4, 2009

I just received a follow-up question from Rob about pumphead and memory loss after heart surgery that you might find interesting.

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Recovery Alert: Cardiac Rehab Programs Are “Under-Utilized”

By Adam Pick on July 30, 2009

One of my critical heart valve surgery recovery tips for patients is… to attend a cardiac rehabilitation program following heart surgery.

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“Any Physical Limitations After Open Heart Surgery?” Asks Aaron

By Adam Pick on July 28, 2009

Aaron just emailed me an interesting question about physical limitations following open heart surgery.

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“Open Heart Surgery And Hair Loss?” Asks Tim

By Adam Pick on July 23, 2009

I just received a very interesting question about hair loss and heart surgery from Tim.

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"High Heart Rate After Heart Surgery?" Asks Pete

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page last updated: November 7, 2023

I just received a great question from Pete about high heart rates after open heart surgery.

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Vertigo, Headaches & Vision Problems After Heart Valve Surgery… Can You Help Mandy?

By Adam Pick on June 22, 2009

I just received a very interesting email from Mandy about heart valve surgery, vertigo, headaches and vision complications after heart surgery. As you can read below, Mandy is asking for all of our help.

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“Memory Loss After Heart Surgery?” Asks Paige

By Adam Pick on June 19, 2009

I just received an interesting question about memory loss after heart valve surgery from Paige Mitchell of Virginia.

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Patricia, 71, Experiences Hoarse Voice After Difficult Intubation

By Adam Pick on June 7, 2009

Thanks to a great support group and medical team, I made a full recovery after my double heart valve surgery. However, I did experience a series of physical and emotional challenges during my recovery. One of those challenges was specific to my voice. As Robyn (my wife) could tell you, my voice became incredibly hoarse following surgery.

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“When Were You 100% Recovered From Open Heart Surgery?” Asks Holly

By Adam Pick on June 2, 2009

On the topic of heart valve surgery recovery, I just received a very important question from Holly.

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After 57 Cardiac Rehab Sessions, Charles Feels Very Fortunate

By Adam Pick on May 31, 2009

When talking with patients and caregivers about heart surgery recovery, I can never say enough about cardiac rehabilitation programs. I hear from patients over-and-over-and-over-and-over again about how valuable cardiac rehabilitation programs are for their physical, social and mental well-being after heart surgery.

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“Did Your Heart Pound Like Crazy After Valve Surgery?” Asks Josh

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page last updated: November 7, 2023

Josh just asked me an important, post-operative question about elevated heartbeat sensations after heart valve surgery and aneurysm repair. I responded below but, if you are a former patient, maybe you can help Josh by leaving a comment as well? Here is what he writes:

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Can You Get Life Insurance After Heart Valve Surgery?

By Adam Pick on May 19, 2009

I’m not sure if you remember… But, I have been trying to get life insurance after my heart valve surgery for a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnng time.

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“How Long Were You In The Intensive Care Unit After Heart Surgery?” Asks Cindy

By Adam Pick on May 9, 2009

Cindy, from Illinois, just asked me a fantastic question about heart valve surgery and the intensive care unit (ICU).

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“Is Constipation After Heart Surgery Normal?” Asks Dahlia

By Adam Pick on May 6, 2009

I just received a very important question from Dahlia about constipation and heart surgery.

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“Do All Heart Valve Surgery Patients Go To Cardiac Rehab?” Asks Eva

By Adam Pick on May 4, 2009

In response to a recent blog titled, “Do I Have Cardiac Depression?”, I just received a follow-up question from Eva. She writes, “Adam: Does every heart valve surgery patient go to cardiac rehabilitation?”

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