Ann Bennett - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

1278 days ago

I know so little about what dangers I should be aware of with the aortic valve replacement, I didn’t know about dentists and so I contracted a virus, after ...Read more

I know so little about what dangers I should be aware of with the aortic valve replacement, I didn’t know about dentists and so I contracted a virus, after many months in hospital I recovered, I now have endocarditis and a patient alert card but what else should I be aware of? Ann Bennett.

Ann Bennettposted a journal

1622 days ago

I am at the operation waiting stage, my aortic stenosis went from mild to severe in Oct. and since then I have completed all my POA, including my dental check ...Read more

I am at the operation waiting stage, my aortic stenosis went from mild to severe in Oct. and since then I have completed all my POA, including my dental check yesterday. What has made my diagnosis more bearable is I’m a symptomatic, I have no pain and no swelling, my general condition is not too bad, I was doing 4 hours in the gym until lockdown, mainly doing resistance and cardio, I don’t think I could do that now, I tire more easily, my breathing is quite good but I have to sigh more frequently. I have been told to expect 6 - 8 weeks waiting for the TAVI op. I am a vegan and I walk when the roads are free of snow/ice. I was wondering if I should be doing anything else in preparation. My main query is what is recovery like, we are all different but in general how painful is it, and how long is recovery, roughly?

Richard Munson You will be fine. I am 79 and had minimally invasive in mid january. It is not a walk in the park but ... Read more

Richard Munson You will be fine. I am 79 and had minimally invasive in mid january. It is not a walk in the park but i am keeping my treadmill busy and took a walk outside today avoiding any snowbanks. My 5 week echo is tomorrow. My chest looks like i was in a gun fight but it could be worse.

Marie Myers If you are having TAVR, you will be pleasantly surprised. You will probably be in the hospital for a ... Read more

Marie Myers If you are having TAVR, you will be pleasantly surprised. You will probably be in the hospital for a couple days. A friend of mine had TaVR at age 97 and it relieved her symptoms quickly. You will have some bruising in the groin area where the arterial puncture will be, but the recovery is far less difficult than full open chest aortic valve replacement. If you are in good shape going into the procedure, you are ahead of the game!