Bob's Posts

Had my Aortic valve replaced on December 5, 2016 and am feeling great. The apprehension before the surgery was more of a brain drain then it was in actuality. I was out of hospital in 3 days and got a checkup with my cardiologist in on December 15 where he noticed a slight afib. He decided to schedule me for a cardioversion (shock you back into sync - under anesthesia - simple 1 day outpatient procedure) in 30 days. Prior to that date, I was to go on coumidan to thin the blood and also reschedule a echocardiogram and another EKG just prior to the cardioversion. Good news is that I am back in rhythm prior to the cardioversion (cancelled - yeah!) but will be on coumidan for another 3 months ans well as amiodorone to make sure I keep in rhythm. Next checkup in 3 months. Looks like it took about 30-40 days for my heart to sync with the new valve. I also lost about 10 pounds post surgery but otherwise feel great and exercising daily. The path post surgery is not always straight but there is light at then end of the tunnel. Don't despair - just repair!

Red Zinger Tea that is. Ok so here's the story that may help you avoid a nice Afib incident like I experienced last night/early morning. My cardiologist has me on two heart meds for the next 60 days ( I have never been on any prescription pills my whole life _ but that is another story). The meds are Metoprolol Tartrate to hold BP down and Amiodarone, that is used to restore normal heart rhythm and maintain a regular, steady heartbeat. Well last night I had an irregular heartbeat, a pulse of 127 and close to normal blood pressure of 128/83. I couldn't sleep, settle down and didn't really know what to do. I had afib the second day in the hospital and the meds solved the problem then and they are the same as the one mentioned above except for a slight difference, the addition of the Red Zinger tea! I had a cup of warm tea (other teas like lemon, green, had no effect and are a good way to relax) after dinner and before bed time and the next 7 hours were scary and of great concern to the new druggy. I ended taking another Amiodarone about 4 hours into the battle and that eventually settled things down an hour later and about 20 additional BP tests with the monitor (which arm, is it high/tight enough? Lot of things go thru your mind at that time in the morning.- You know the drill). Today things are back to normal with pulse at 86. I was told to expect about 50% of people with AVR have Afib during the first 6 weeks so now i know what to expect but I will also ask the cardiologist next week if this experience is "normal". Anyway avoid the Red Zinger as there may be a reaction between the meds and the tea or it just may have been part of the AVR experience. Stay tuned, it can only get better! Adam has a good question and answer video covering this issue theat, yes, is viewable at 3 AM - Thanks Adam!