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Richard Munsonposted an update

17 minutes ago

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Shadow is such a ham

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Shaun Bloodworth
Mitral Regurgitation
July 29, 2025

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Aortic Regurgitation
July 30, 2025

Mike Antoine
Mitral Regurgitation
August 5, 2025

Denise Agnewposted an update

38 minutes ago

Hey all...has anyone had "fun" (being sarcastic a little bit) with warfarin and bleeding problems? My surgery was on May 9, 2025. I know some people do. I'm ...Read more

Hey all...has anyone had "fun" (being sarcastic a little bit) with warfarin and bleeding problems? My surgery was on May 9, 2025. I know some people do. I'm on the blood thinner because of mechanical mitral valve. We've had trouble getting my INR levels right. This last week I finally got up to 2.4 (only the second time in all these months) and my doctor upped the milligrams. Twice since I started with the blood thinner, over the last two months, I've had blood in my urine. It always goes away after a few hours. I went to the emergency room the first time and they discovered a kidney stone (I've had kidney stones several times) and thought that might be causing the bleeding and if you add the blood thinner it caused the blood in the urine. I do have a urology appointment so that might help me find out what the deal is. I was just curious on other's experiences with the blood thinners.

Kate Watsongot a new guestbook post

3 hours ago

Sherry writes, "My prayers are with you!! Praying for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery !!! I just read your husband’s post. I’m glad everything is going well ...Read more

Sherry writes, "My prayers are with you!! Praying for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery !!! I just read your husband’s post. I’m glad everything is going well so far!!!

sending lots of positive vibes and hugs!🤗 ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹"

mark decapitejust updated his profile

7 hours ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Dan Fouratt Mark, I was asymptomatic also. I had a Bicuspid Aortic Valve. I took a stress test and breezed thr ... Read more

Dan Fouratt Mark, I was asymptomatic also. I had a Bicuspid Aortic Valve. I took a stress test and breezed through level three but they stopped the test as my blood pressure dropped. I went home the next day and did 5 back to back stress test on my tread mill through level 4 and had no understanding of why they stopped the official one. Low blood pressure is good? Well they called a couple of days later and said I had severe stenosis and recommended surgery. I sent all my information to a friend of my who is a leading cardiologist. He came back and said he would rank it as moderate to severe but he felt it will not last much longer (several years). BAV usually fail between 50 and 60 years. (I was north of 60.) If I was ready I should go and get it done. He assured my I was not going to die. I was in good to great cardio shape and went forward with the MINI replacement. I walked the day of the surgery and was out on the hospital in 4 days. The event is behind me. So a long winded answer to your question is yes you can have heart issues asymptomatic. And yes you can choose when you have surgery. I could have waited but choose not to. My recovery was quick and I felt great several months post surgery.

Wes Edensgot a new guestbook post

17 hours ago

Glenn Tremper writes, "Good to hear of your progress on the mitral valve. And also, your positive perspective on finding out about the blood issue. Wishing you well on ...Read more

Glenn Tremper writes, "Good to hear of your progress on the mitral valve. And also, your positive perspective on finding out about the blood issue. Wishing you well on the journey.

I am scheduled for a more complicated surgery with Dr. Sell-Dottin September 12th. I am very impressed with her and with the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. I don't see many of her patients on this website, though, and was happy to see your post. It's reassuring to know your positive impression of her and Mayo Phoenix. "

New Posts From Adam’s Heart Valve Blog

New AI-Powered Heart Valve Chatbot Beta Test Results

Thanks to the members of this wonderful community, I am happy to share that... Read More.

Free eBook & Video: 6 Misconceptions of Heart Valve Surgery

Our recent webinar, “6 Misconceptions of Heart Valve Surgery”, was fantastic! We had over... Read More.

Joyce Weinberg just updated her profile

22 hours ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Wes Edensposted a journal

1 day ago

Sean Adkins reacted to this

Now nearly 4 years from my mitral valve replacement, and it's ticking along like a champ. I go in for an echo next month, and I expect good news as usual. While ...Read more

Now nearly 4 years from my mitral valve replacement, and it's ticking along like a champ. I go in for an echo next month, and I expect good news as usual. While going through scans pre-surgery, I was found to have follicular lymphoma, an incurable but treatable blood cancer. The lymphoma has been quiet all this time, and I'm crossing the median point by which time most patients need treatment (still chemo for first-line, ugh, but new treatments are coming). I'm hoping that I either will never need treatment, or that if I do, by that time it will be something other than chemo.

If it wasn't for heart surgery, I would still not have any clue that I have cancer!

Anyway, I want to say thanks again to Adam Pick for helping me--and I mean personally helping me--make contact with the right folks at Mayo Phoenix, and to my brilliant surgeon there, Dr. Kristen Sell-Dottin, for the minimally invasive mitral valve replacement that gave me a new lease on life!

Marie Myers Congrats on your 4 year anniversary! This is, indeed, a very helpful website…

Rose Madura Happy anniversary and I hope your blood cancer doesn't rear its ugly head. 🙏

Robert Miller I wish you all the best. My uncle's wife has some kind of not curable but treatable cancer. The treat ... Read more

Robert Miller I wish you all the best. My uncle's wife has some kind of not curable but treatable cancer. The treatment makes her pretty tired. Despite that, she is pretty much always in good spirits. I do hear it's tough. You got this!!

Denise Agnew Congratulations on doing so well! Awesome!

Kevin Gallegosjust updated his profile

1 day ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Kevin Carmelengojust updated his profile

1 day ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

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Kate Watsongot a new guestbook post

1 day ago

Kimberly Eisenhut reacted to this

Melinda Donahue writes, "Hi Kate! Thinking of you and I hope your recovery is going well. "

Rebecca Vaughan Hi Kate. I hope you are getting better and stronger every day. ❤️

Mark Giordanoposted a journal

1 day ago

Adam Pick reacted to this

Hopefully going in for a Ross procedure in September. Has anyone had any complications with their native pulmonary valve that would complicate the procedure? ...Read more

Hopefully going in for a Ross procedure in September. Has anyone had any complications with their native pulmonary valve that would complicate the procedure?

Adam Pick Mark, Great question. Here's an educational video with Dr. Brinkman that you might want to check out ... Read more

Adam Pick Mark, Great question. Here's an educational video with Dr. Brinkman that you might want to check out about that topic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNOC-od0cts

Inspecting the Pulmonary Valve During the Ross Procedure

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNOC-od0cts

https://www.Heart-Valve-Surgery.com - The Ross procedure is a highly specialized aortic valve replacement surgery that involves moving the patient's pulmonar...

Kate Watsongot a new guestbook post

1 day ago

Kate Watson reacted to this

Michael writes, "Dr. Castro is absolutely wonderful. You will never meet a more skillful, knowledgeable, gifted, compassionate, and caring doctor anywhere.
A year and a half ...Read more

Michael writes, "Dr. Castro is absolutely wonderful. You will never meet a more skillful, knowledgeable, gifted, compassionate, and caring doctor anywhere.
A year and a half ago, he did an aortic valve replacement, right coronary bypass, and an excision of the right atrial appendage due to atrial fibrillation without the use of blood due to my long held religious beliefs.
Everything turned out well. I’m 67 now but acting like a 40 year-old. I’m confident you’ll have a successful recovery."

Mark Giordanojust updated his profile

1 day ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

St. Elizabeth Healthcare
Edgewood, KY - Sponsored

Gary Fabre

“I just went in for an annual check-up. After listening to my heart, my doctor told me I had a heart murmur. I never knew I had a heart murmur, and I didn’t know much about them. The images ... Read more.

We made the decision, at the time, to keep an eye on it for a year because I had no symptoms. Based on my second echocardiogram, it was determined that my mitral valve prolapse had progressed, and it was time for surgery. Now, I am ecstatic to say that my wife and I just returned from a 10-day holiday in Saint Lucia which included four scuba dives.

Dr. Castillo-Sang gave me the confidence that I would be able to dive again, and he was 100% correct."

-- Gary Fabre, heart valve patient

Kate Watsongot a new guestbook post

1 day ago

Glen Wilensky reacted to this

Dave Williamson writes, "Way to go Kate. You got this!! I will keep you in prayer."

Glen Wilensky I’m Glad all went well better than planned

James Hilbejust updated his profile

1 day ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Kate Watsongot a new guestbook post

1 day ago

Kimberly Eisenhut reacted to this

Marilyn Pisano writes, "Sending prayers for healing and a speedy recovery. Hand in there, better days ahead!"

Kate Watsongot a new guestbook post

1 day ago

Kimberly Eisenhut reacted to this

Sandra Graham writes, "Best of luck with your new heart valves. I hope you are starting to feel better. I had a Saint Jude’s aortic valve implanted nearly 31 years ago when I was ...Read more

Sandra Graham writes, "Best of luck with your new heart valves. I hope you are starting to feel better. I had a Saint Jude’s aortic valve implanted nearly 31 years ago when I was 42 years old. It is still working very well. I take warfarin every day, and I test my levels at home once a week. I finally retired from my job within the last year. I am enjoying retirement."

Educational Video About Aortic Stenosis

Moderate Aortic Stenosis Risks: What Should Patients Know?

Doctor Interviewed:
Dr. Ibrahim Sultan

Moderate Aortic Stenosis Risks: What Should Patients Know?

Shaun Bloodworthposted an update

1 day ago

Scott Kinghorn reacted to this

4 more sleeps until my Mitral Valve repair. Highly stressed atm as I have a business that I am trying to prepare to continue to run seamlessly and the upcoming ...Read more

4 more sleeps until my Mitral Valve repair. Highly stressed atm as I have a business that I am trying to prepare to continue to run seamlessly and the upcoming surgery is hard. Feeling positive about the proceedure but sometimes it is very hard to stay in that state of mind.

Robert Miller You will need someone taking your spot for at least a couple of weeks. If you have OHS, you won't be ... Read more

Robert Miller You will need someone taking your spot for at least a couple of weeks. If you have OHS, you won't be sleeping all that great for quite some time which will affect your work as a business owner. You have to plan for this as well. In any case, I wish you all the best. If you in good shape you probably will recover quickly.

Shaun Bloodworth Thanks Robert. I have organised 2-3 weeks grace.

Shaun Bloodworth How long since your proceedure and how are you now?

Robert Miller I assume that last question is addressed to me. My second surgery was at the end of 2022. Both times ... Read more

Robert Miller I assume that last question is addressed to me. My second surgery was at the end of 2022. Both times I recovered pretty quickly. If I recall correctly, I maxed out that air inhaler before leaving the hospital and I did a lot of boring rounds around the corridor of the ICU. They wouldn't let me go further because then some alarm would go off as their tracking system only did go so far. I still have some issues, though (AFib, etc) but when I exercise then my heart rhythm is just fine.
I did run a business in the past, i.e. long before my heart surgeries. Long hours and a lot of stress. I am not sure how stress could affect the healing but the long hours for sure will. I did not get any good sleep for weeks after surgery. So if you work 12-16 hours a day, that's going to be a real challenge. I would advice that you stay away from work for at least a couple of weeks and then start gradually.

Shaun Bloodworth Thanks Robert

J Alexander Lassally Don't rush your recovery or press yourself. It takes precedence for sure! Good luck !

Adam Pick You got this Shaun!

Richard Munson I guess it also depends on what business you run. I was calling customers 1 week after i got home at ... Read more

Richard Munson I guess it also depends on what business you run. I was calling customers 1 week after i got home at 81. Not sure i would have wanted to lug lobster pots around for quite awhile if that was my job.

Krissie Shimalajust updated her profile

1 day ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Shaun Bloodworthgot a new guestbook post

2 days ago

Gail Norris writes, "Wishing you the very best. I had mitral vale surgery 4 years and chose a mechanical valve because no way did I want another surgery, even though I am now taking ...Read more

Gail Norris writes, "Wishing you the very best. I had mitral vale surgery 4 years and chose a mechanical valve because no way did I want another surgery, even though I am now taking warfarin. I suggest that discuss your options with your surgeon and learn the pros and cons o f each option.

n. "

Kate Watsongot a new guestbook post

2 days ago

Gail Norris writes, "So gload to hear that yoiur surgery went well. Take care!"

Meet Dr. Fardad Esmailian at Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai
Los Angeles, CA
Sponsored

Meet Dr. Fardad Esmailian at Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai

Los Angeles, CA - Sponsored

Hello! My name is Dr. Fardad Esmailian and I am a cardiac surgeon having graduated from George Washington University School of Medicine in 1987. To date, I have performed approximately 5,000 cardiac surgeries, of which over 2,500 involved heart valve procedures. I regularly perform surgery at Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai. Read more...

I believe my greatest strength is my technical skills and great patient outcomes. My approach to helping patients is guided by knowledge and extreme attention to details. I do my best to build strong relationships with patients by providing excellent care for them before, during and after their surgery.

I do my best to communicate often with patients, their families and with the physicians who referred them to my team.

I am also a professor of surgery and enjoy serving as a researcher and teacher of other doctors.

Kate Watsongot a new guestbook post

2 days ago

Deb Negrete writes, "Sending you healing thoughts! Dr Castro is the best. He did my mitral valve repair almost 4 years ago. Feeling great! "

Jennifer Winslowposted an update

2 days ago

Kimberly Eisenhut reacted to this

I had my SAVR in February of 2020. I haven't been very active on this site since my recovery but do get the email notifications and will read articles of ...Read more

I had my SAVR in February of 2020. I haven't been very active on this site since my recovery but do get the email notifications and will read articles of interest. My biggest interest is the survival rates for TAVR vs SAVR. I opted for a bio valve at the time of surgery as I feared being on blood thinner the rest of my life. (I was only 53 at the time of surgery). Recently, I have been regretting that decision. I thought I was making the best decision at the time and made it with guidance from my cardiologist and surgeon. The thought process was that hopefully this valve lasts a good amount of time but when it does fail; I can have TAVR. My surgeon indicated that he set me up beautifully for that prospect by choosing the right size valve.

But then I read patients' posts in which they've had to have mechanical valves replaced, or others that have had multiple surgeries, and I start to think that sometimes the decision may not matter. It is all out of our control. I have a hard time with that but do try to find peace with my decision and just live life one day at a time and be grateful for each one.

In the meantime, I will continue to keep myself informed of the latest advancements and research and check in here from time to time.

God bless you all in your journeys and thank you for making this a wonderful community to be a part of.

Kimberly Eisenhut I am going to surgeon next month to talk about surgery for my Tricuspid rapair. I also am very curiou ... Read more

Kimberly Eisenhut I am going to surgeon next month to talk about surgery for my Tricuspid rapair. I also am very curious as to what he will say about the type of repair and will try to ask all of the right questions. Are there any questions or advice you can give me for when i go see him? I would very much appreciate any and all help from you and anyone else that has been through this.

Jennifer Winslow Hi Kimberly....I think the best advice I can give is to ask questions about everything. Are there d ... Read more

Jennifer Winslow Hi Kimberly....I think the best advice I can give is to ask questions about everything. Are there different options available for the repair? Can it be done through minimally invasive technique? What is the recovery time and process. Knowing what you will face can either put your mind at ease or cause you more anxiety and worry so you chose the path right for you. Ask those questions or not. I wanted to know what to expect so I could mentally prepare myself. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best for your surgery and recovery.

Kimberly Eisenhut Jennifer, are you having trouble with the valve again now? Is that why you aer regretting it, or is i ... Read more

Kimberly Eisenhut Jennifer, are you having trouble with the valve again now? Is that why you aer regretting it, or is it just the average life of the valve that worries you now that it has been 5 years?

Kate Watsongot a new guestbook post

2 days ago

Kimberly Eisenhut reacted to this

Cheryl Devaull writes, "Just letting you know that my prayers are with you! You sure have had a lot on your plate but like Adam always says “keep on ticking“ and it seems like ...Read more

Cheryl Devaull writes, "Just letting you know that my prayers are with you! You sure have had a lot on your plate but like Adam always says “keep on ticking“ and it seems like that’s how it is for you again my prayers and blessings are with you Godspeed recovery🙏🏻♥️🫂💐XX "

Brandie Sheajust updated her profile

2 days ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Free Patient Newsletter

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mark decapiteposted a photo

2 days ago

Kimberly Eisenhut, Rose Madura reacted to this

Marie Myers Nice boots!

Kate Watsongot a new guestbook post

2 days ago

Vince Pellegrino writes, "Kate, that is fantastic news. Wishing you a speedy recovery. You are on your way to less stressful and happier times. "

mark decapiteposted a journal

2 days ago

Hello, just wondering, if people out there that have had the aorta valve replacement which I'm gonna be due for relatively soon.Have you had complications after ...Read more

Hello, just wondering, if people out there that have had the aorta valve replacement which I'm gonna be due for relatively soon.Have you had complications after the surgery?And how do you feel a lot better or not?Just curious thanks for listening

Marie Myers Although I had an aortic valve replacement at the time of my surgery, the main reason I had surgery w ... Read more

Marie Myers Although I had an aortic valve replacement at the time of my surgery, the main reason I had surgery was due to my ascending aorta and aortic root aneurysms. I was not having any symptoms from the regurgitant aortic valve or aneurysms. Luckily, I did not have any complications, and started back at work part time in 8 weeks.

mark decapite Hi, Marie. It sounds like a pretty major operation. You went through, so glad that everything turned ... Read more

mark decapite Hi, Marie. It sounds like a pretty major operation. You went through, so glad that everything turned out fine. It is just scary doing an operation when you feel great.

Marie Myers That was one of the harder things to finally accept. You are right in that it is hard to accept that ... Read more

Marie Myers That was one of the harder things to finally accept. You are right in that it is hard to accept that you really have to do this. Acceptance was one of my harder lessons in all of this. I listened to meditations on acceptance, calming, healing topics. Yoga and staying moving helped me too. I know you will get through this, too! Keep the faith, and Godspeed on your journey. The wait is a hard part!

Kate Watsongot a new guestbook post

2 days ago

Mike Wynn writes, "Kate & Jesse:
I'm so sorry to hear that you are having to go through OHS again. I'm glad you found a surgeon that seems to be able to give you ...Read more

Mike Wynn writes, "Kate & Jesse:
I'm so sorry to hear that you are having to go through OHS again. I'm glad you found a surgeon that seems to be able to give you the care you need. As the recipient of an On-X aortic valve this past April, I am interested to know how the stenosis/pannus was discovered. Did you have symptoms or was it found on an Echo - or both? I am hoping that since I was 64 when I got my On-X valve that maybe it will outlast me. However, I would like to know what to be looking for if stenosis/pannus should occur. Thank you, Mike."