Adam's Heart Valve Surgery Blog – Page 14

I’m a bit addicted to our Peloton.

This next-gen athletic gear has completely transformed my approach to fitness. I feel great. I have more energy. Thankfully, as someone who has struggled with insomnia, I now sleep like a baby. And, I’ve unexpectedly lost 12 pounds.

One of the fun parts of riding a Peloton is when an instructor sends a live “shout-out” to a community member during class.  So far, I’ve been fortunate to score shout-outs from Robin Arzon and Jess King.

I’m happy to share that on my recent 800th ride, I got a shout-out from the one-and-only Alex Toussaint. As you may already know, Alex is an extremely motivational coach who inspires students with uplifting catch phrases (Feel Good! Look Good! Do Better!), innovative classes (e.g., the Last Dance and Ride to Greatness) and honest perspectives on the challenges we all face on a day-to-day basis.

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Yes!!! I have an update about Traver!!!

As you might recall… In January, the HeartValveSurgery.com community sponsored the much-needed surgery of Traver, a courageous 2-year old boy from a small village in Uganda, who was suffering from a life-threatening form of heart disease. 

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, Traver’s surgery was delayed by several months. Watch the video below to see Traver’s latest update!

 
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Dear Patients & Friends,

This is unexpected!!!

I am happy and honored to announce that HeartValveSurgery.com just achieved the #1 ranking on Feedspot’s Top 60 Heart Websites!!!

 
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[Update: With over 600 patient registrations, the “5 Myths of Heart Valve Surgery” webinar was fantastic. You can now watch the “5 Myths of Heart Valve Surgery” webinar video or download the free eBook at this link.]

I’m excited to announce that our LIVE and FREE patient education events continue today, Thursday, May 20, with a special webinar, “5 Myths of Heart Valve Surgery”. The featured speaker for this event is Dr. Marc Gerdisch, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Franciscan Health, who has performed over 4,000 heart valve operations.  The one-hour webinar will start at 6pm EST.

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On behalf of our global heart valve community, I want to thank Medtronic, one of the world’s largest medical companies and a leading heart valve manufacturer, for the special invitation to speak at the upcoming American College of Cardiology’s 70th Annual Scientific Session & Expo!!!

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Many, many, many thanks to Josh Nowack for sending me this wonderful “I’m Back” recovery t-shirt!

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I am beyond happy to share that Ari Mintzer, 46, just had a successful aortic valve re-operation at the Cleveland Clinic on Tuesday. So you know, Ari needed a “re-do” because his 14-year old tissue valve was failing from aortic stenosis and regurgitation.

Dr. Eric Roselli & Ari Mintzer

 
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I just received a great question from Linda about the recurrence of mitral regurgitation, a leaky heart valve, and calcification after mitral valve repair surgery. In her note to me, Linda asked, “I had mitral valve repair about 2 years ago and now I’ve developed regurgitation again. Also part of the valve is calcified. I am curious if this is common?”

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Yes!  We have a new surgery update to share about Traver!

 
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Unexpected!

After giving away our new HeartValveSurgery.com hats, I was asked by Dr. Allan Stewart if it was possible to make a “HVS scrub cap” for the doctors in our community.  I thought it was a great idea. So, I contacted Griselda – my local embroidery guru – to see if she could make an HVS scrub cap.  

Me (Adam) with Griselda (Lur Embroidery Owner)

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Holy Moly!

Over at our Facebook page… Michael Morrison’s “Smiling Scar Selfie” has gone viral. In just three days, Michael’s picture inspired over 7,300 reactions (likes, wows, loves), 1,000+ patient comments, and more than 300 timeline shares.

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Big news!!!

Several states have made the COVID-19 vaccines available to patients with heart conditions using a new “Phase 1B Plus” eligibility.  Yes, you read that correctly!

 
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Congrats to Marylin Canon, a mitral valve patient in the HeartValveSurgery.com community, who celebrated her 70th birthday with yummy sweets and a new HVS hat.

Here’s Marylin looking dang good in the hospital just 3 days after her mitral valve surgery.

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If you didn’t know… Today is National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day!

This is a special day to raise awareness to the very under-diagnosed, the very under-treated, and the very deadly form of heart disease!

 
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Donna Hartley has struggled with many health challenges during her life – malnourishment, heart disease, a plane crash, cancer and then… more heart disease.

In this video, Donna shares her extraordinary journey to a healthy heart that included surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and a Medtronic transcatheter aortic valve re-replacement (TAVR) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 
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On Heart Valve Day, we’re helping raise awareness and educate the world about heart valve disease. For that reason, here are two new insightful articles to help patients learn about important and timely topics specific to heart valve disease.

The first article, “Top 5 Facts: Managing Heart Valve Disease Amidst COVID-19”, will help patients become aware of critical information during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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[Update: Unfortunately, all of the free HVS hats in our “Heart Valve Day Giveaway” are now gone! I’m so sorry if you did not get one. Wow, those hats went fast! Again, I’m super sorry if you did not get one of these hats.]

After sharing this post about our free giveaway of the new HVS hats, my inbox was flooded with patient requests for our hats.

So… To celebrate National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day, I had 10 more hats made.  Here’s a picture of Jeannie Sullivan, a 5-time heart surgery and Ross Procedure patient from Florida, who received a hat in our last giveaway.

Jeannie Sullivan (Heart Valve Patient)

 
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As many of you know… I’ve transformed into a big Peloton fan since Robyn (my wife) introduced me to this amazing technology that helps us stay healthy and save some money.

During the COVID-19 quarantine, we’ve increased our Peloton usage to keep our minds right and to combat the extra calories that somehow find a way into our bodies. Can you relate?

Earlier today, I was on my 100th run with Jess King, a Peloton instructor.  Jess is a great and very fun coach who teaches on the bike and the treadmill.  When Jess saw my Peloton user name, which just happens to be “HeartValveGuy”, she released an empowering “shout-out” to people with heart valve disease. Here it is…

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Thanks to the wonderful support of patients, their family members, friends, doctors, physician assistants, nurses, hospitals, medical companies and cardiac research centers, I am happy to report that HeartValveSurgery.com achieved the #1 ranking in FeedSpot’s “Top 50 Cardiac Surgery Blogs & Website” for the fourth consecutive year and we were named one of the Top 15 Best Heart Blogs by eMediHealth.

These are such extraordinary honors considering all the great cardiac websites out there!

 
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Dear Patients & Friends,

On this special day, I wanted to tell you how grateful I am for your continuing support of our website and each other! Thank you for being a special part of our community!

Happy Valentine’s Day!
Adam