Allan Goldsworthy - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

1392 days ago

I’m wondering if anyone in this community has had similar experience to me and can give me some guidance. I’m 60 years of age and on 2 April 2020, I had ...Read more

I’m wondering if anyone in this community has had similar experience to me and can give me some guidance. I’m 60 years of age and on 2 April 2020, I had a stenosed bicuspid aortic valve replaced with a pig valve in a successful mini sternotomy operation. Prior to that, my most recent echocardiogram showed that I was at the beginning of the severe category even though I felt fine. Immediately prior to the operation I had been a very fit road cyclist (that’s pushbike not motorbike) cycling around 170 kilometres per week and although my cardiologist said that I would notice an almost immediate aerobic improvement post-surgery, my progress has been slow. 10+ weeks post-surgery I say that I am only about 60% of my previous fitness. Is there anyone in this community who has been very fit prior to surgery and who can give me some guidance as to when I could expect my heart to perform optimally in an athletic sense ?

Tracy Fallu While I did not have the same surgery as you, I had mitral valve repair, it takes time for the body t ... Read more

Tracy Fallu While I did not have the same surgery as you, I had mitral valve repair, it takes time for the body to adjust to the trauma placed on the body during surgery. No recovery is the same but I have to say that at 10 weeks, I hadn’t begun rehab so I am very impressed you feel 60 %, that’s great. If I can offer any advice, it’s to give your body Grace. You will be able to get back to where you want but listen to your body while you look forward to each 🚲 km. Take care and be well.

Shannon Gray I completely agree with Tracy. Give your body time to rest and recuperate. And keep your heart rate a ... Read more

Shannon Gray I completely agree with Tracy. Give your body time to rest and recuperate. And keep your heart rate at a lower max capacity then before surgery. Be good to yourself... you’ll be back in full swing soon enough.