alan's Guestbook

Hi Alan, I too have some Mobitz heart block but it seems it is getting better and/or has stabilized now 7 months after surgery. I just finished wearing a monitor for 30 days and the only dropped beats were during sleep. Although I too have been to and are being followed by doctors in Marietta, I am also having reports reviewed by the EP at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Gillinov fixed my mitral valve and the GA cardio doc just reviewed a recent echo and now I show only a trivial leak. I can't run ....yet ....but wasn't running prior to surgery for many years although the EP said if I feel fine I have no limitations and do not need a pacemaker; thankfully. I hope with enough time you too might recover from it. Everyone I asked and everything I read said that surgery can do that since by cutting into the heart it disrupts the electrical flow. I pray that you will do well with it.

Hello Alan, I too had surgery with Dr. Gillinov in September at Cleveland Clinic for mitral valve prolapse. The experience with everyone at Cleveland Clinic was great. I am so glad I went there. I too had some Mobitz 1 episodes with level 2 heart block. The first time was due to beta blockers given at the hospital about 3 days after surgery. I visited the Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology section at the clinic and pacemakers were discussed as well as giving the heart enough time to heal. Currently I feel fine and don't know when it happens but having recently worn a holter monitor still shows episodes, some with complete heart block so there is more talk of a pacemaker. Glad to hear you are doing so well.

Hope all is well for you. I had aortic valve replacement in 2000 when I was 46, and then had to have 12 hours of surgery agin in 2011 for the replacement of the aortic valve agin and the mitral valve.... I have kept well since.

Hi Alan, hope all went well and you are recovering comfortably. I had mitral valve replacement 12/12/11 at Cleveland Clinic, coming up on 3 year birthday. I am 64 and just retired. I sure know what you mean about walking in concrete, good analogy! I got a titanium valve so on Coumadin for life, small price to pay though! Happy Thanksgiving and hope you are home for turkey day. Rest and "one day at a time" attitude works best.

Dear Alan, I am praying for you and know you will be running faster than ever. Just over 4 years ago, I had my aortic valve replaced and 6 days after needed a pacemaker. At the time I was 58 and I never felt more fit. It was only the echo that showed my valve closing that my cardiologist saved my life. I am still skiing, playing tennis, and exercising with kickboxing, etc. Feel free to reach out during your recuperation. Lots of hugs, Lynn

I also had Dr. Gillinov in July. He is a great man and surgeon. I have 100% confidence in him. I love the Cleveland Clinic. They felt like family to me, the nurses and doctors are awesome. I would like to go back to Cleveland just to say hello to them. (I Live in AZ) I felt like when I left, I was leaving behind long-time friends. Good luck to you