Brady's Posts

Somehow i think i would prefer a doctor or nurse breaking the news to me. But thats me. I was just on the phone on hold for an hour waiting for comcast to pick up. I was finally disconnected. Can only imagine my foul language if i was waiting for a heart report. I admit i called comcast a few names after getting disconnected. My boy shadow was the only one to hear my curses thankfully. I will try again once my repaired mitral valve calms down.

Hi Richard, That might be a plus for a device like this.Sometimes,a medical professional can't always be reached,when we need or want one,but if having something,that can be used at home,anytime,to monitor,during an abnormal or even a normal period,to provide instant information,could be very useful and then if needed,shared with a doctor.

At doctors yesterday in waiting area. 4-5 other people all on their i phones except moi. She called a guy 3 times but he was pecking away, not paying attention. She looked at me and said mind if i take you early? Moral to the story. Stay alert at all times.

Brady, very cool that issues could be detected through common phone capabilities (microphone) alone, making that capability much more accessible. Richard, I get you, but I have to say that I really appreciate the mainstream availability of health monitoring devices rivaling what the hospitals prescribe. I use a Fitbit watch to monitor Heart BMP to keep exercise "moderate" awaiting surgery, and also the inexpensive O2 Ring for monitoring of O2 levels, both overnight & through exercise. Just this last month my Sleep Dr. had me do an overnight oximetry test, with results indicating I needed oxygen, based on the device reporting over 4 hours of sub-par oxygen. I was able to reply with the information that two independent Pulse Oximetry monitors (the Fitbit and the O2 Ring) both reported normal oxygen levels that night.

I asked @Adam if he could do some education about dental including but not limited to how dental hygiene can influence the heart (supposedly it can but I am skeptical), how to handle dentist appointment when you are on blood thinner (you are supposed to stop it a couple days before, I believe), taking some antibiotics (many seem to take it just for preventative measures), etc.

I take 2000 mg of amoxillan 1 hour before a teeth cleaning or any dental work and have done so for 9 years since my double valve replacement. This is recommended (as a precaution) by my cardiologist and he writes my prescription. There is a slight chance that bacteria can pass down during dental work and infect one's replaced valves. This chance is very slight but good dental hygiene is important for your body. My dentist always asks if I have taken my antibiotics before my teeth cleaning. She has several patients in the same category. I have absolutely no reaction to taking this antibiotic. As I said before it is a precaution so some doctors do not prescribe it and some patients take a different dose. I am on anticoagulants and do not stop taking them when I have dental work (cleaning, filling or crown). If you have dental surgery (such as gum surgery) your dentist should be able to direct you in collaboration with your cardiologist as to the procedures to follow regarding anticoagulants. Dental care is really important. Usually you will be directed to have a dental checkup and to take care of as much dental work as possible before you have heart surgery. Please do. Take care.

Recommendation today are little more "loose" at some points than before due to the fact that a lot of endocarditis cases are actually result from bad hygiene and dental issues itself regardless of having the procedure or not. I mean, they stress the importance of hygiene maintenance and prevention rather than relying ONLY on antibiotics before every procedure to do the business of preventing endocarditis. But taking 2g of amoxicillin if you are not allergic to penicillin is definitely still recommended prior to any bloody dental procedure (deep cleaning, tooth extration etc).