About Me (In My Own Words)
I just found this group - so glad that I did! I had my Mitral valve replaced and my tricuspid valve repaired along with the Maze procedure 8 weeks ago. I was born with a faulty Mitral valve and I had been followed by a cardiologist annually since I was in my 20's. Although the regurgitation was moderate to severe and the left atrium is enlarged I was always asymptomatic until Dec 2018 when I started to develop occasional Afib, I still remained asymptomatic on a daily basis. I was always exercising, running, walking, weight training, gardening, Yoga and more! I always had tons of energy, and didn't stop moving all day! I never was on medication prior to surgery. I am anxious to get back to my pre-surgery life as we all are. I have post-surgical Afib now and as I understand it this is not uncommon following valve surgery. The Maze procedure takes 3 months to heal so we don't know if it was successful yet or not My cardiologist has me on Metropolol and Coumadin and wants to put me in the hospital to start an antiarrhythmic called Flecainide.He says that this is temporary - perhaps a few months.I am walking 30 min a day X2 and feeling better but still a ways to go - but can't go to cardiac rehab until my heart rate is controlled. My question is: Do I go on the Flecainide now or wait another few weeks to see if the Maze procedure worked? I do not want to deal with the potential drug side effects if I don't have to. I also wonder if I really need cardiac rehab as I am already walking outside every day and am doing other exercises as well. Thank you for any input you may have on these questions !
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Exeter
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My surgery date is:
April 24, 2019
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I was diagnosed with:
Mitral Regurgitation
Atrial Fibrillation
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My surgery was:
Mitral Valve Replacement
Tricuspid Valve Repair
Maze Procedure
