Chris Charbs - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

22 days ago

I'm wondering if there is anyone that tracked HRV (Heart Rate Variability) pre and post surgery. I'm 18 months post op and everything has been going great. ...Read more

I'm wondering if there is anyone that tracked HRV (Heart Rate Variability) pre and post surgery. I'm 18 months post op and everything has been going great. I was a quite active before my surgery and am now just getting back into a more steady exercise routine. Before surgery my HRV was high 60's to low 70's since the surgery it was very low first few months in the teens and 20s and then after 3 months it got up to mid thirties and stayed there basically since, every now and then I'll get into low 40s but nothing consistent. Im curious if that is just normal after heart surgery or if things every get back to a previous normal. Has anyone had similar or opposite experiences? Appreciate your insights.

Thanks!

Chris

John Cook Before my Ross, my HVR, as measured by my Apple Watch averaged around 51.

It was very low for the first 4 weeks post-surgery, about 20. Since then, I’m averaging 34. I had my 7 month anniversary yesterday.

my increased beta blocker dosage could have something to do with the reduction.

I found this. It says a reduced HRV after aortic or mitral valve surgery is known and normal but not predictive of mortality.

I also found several studies indicating that lower pre-op HRV seems to increase risk of post-op arrhythmias.

I also found studies indicating CABG patients frequently fully recover their pre-op HRV.

https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.2478/s11536-007-0070-y/pdf

https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.2478/s11536-007-0070-y/pdf

Chris Charbs Yah that is interesting, everything I have read said that beta blockers should enhance HRV, I wonder ... Read more

Chris Charbs Yah that is interesting, everything I have read said that beta blockers should enhance HRV, I wonder just because of the stress put on the heart because of the surgery if it just never gets back to normal. Main thing is I feel good but it would be nice to get back to "normal" if there is such a thing.

Scott Mills My HRV was in the mid 50s before surgery (end of May 2025), and then dropped like a stone after surge ... Read more

Scott Mills My HRV was in the mid 50s before surgery (end of May 2025), and then dropped like a stone after surgery. I was sitting around 20, and I’m now just getting into around 30. I’m pretty steady with my exercise now, but I’m still on a beta blocker, which I understand does reduce the HRV, but I’m not certain of that. I’m giving myself a full 12 months before I get to critical of myself, but I confess I’d like to see that number move up faster :)

Robert Miller I am sparing you with my story. I would offer contacting me with a PM (Personal Message) but this for ... Read more

Robert Miller I am sparing you with my story. I would offer contacting me with a PM (Personal Message) but this forum doesn't allow PMs. In any case, if your heart rate drops to 20-30 bpm you should see your cardiologist sooner than later. Also, if this is sporadic, use a device like the Kardia 6L to record your heart rhythm. I purchased one (no doctor suggested to do so) and when I mention to my doctors that I use a Kardia, they want to see the results.

John Cook Heart Rate Variability is different than Heart Rate. HRV is the measurement in variability of the du ... Read more

John Cook Heart Rate Variability is different than Heart Rate. HRV is the measurement in variability of the duration between heart beats. It’s measured in milliseconds.

There aren’t diagnostic ranges for HRV but higher is generally considered better. HRV can be increased with exercise, stress management, better sleep, and healthy eating habits.

Robert Miller @John Cook, good point. I thought @Chris Charbs was referring to HR. 20-30bpm sounded VERY low, even ... Read more

Robert Miller @John Cook, good point. I thought @Chris Charbs was referring to HR. 20-30bpm sounded VERY low, even for people doing a lot of sports. My watch complains if I fall below 50bpm. I have no idea about HRV. I just know there are relations between p, t, q, s waves.

Lisa Hoyt My HRV is usually 24-32 which seems really low. (I am 65) I will be really curious to see if these nu ... Read more

Lisa Hoyt My HRV is usually 24-32 which seems really low. (I am 65) I will be really curious to see if these numbers change

Lisa Hoyt HR resting is 44-48

Chris Charbsposted an update

118 days ago

Good Morning, I have a question. I recently had an echo on my heart 15 months post op for aortic valve replacement and ascending aorta graft. The echo showed ...Read more

Good Morning, I have a question. I recently had an echo on my heart 15 months post op for aortic valve replacement and ascending aorta graft. The echo showed mild paravalvular regurgitation on the new mechanical valve and hypokenisia of the apical septal. My family doctor really doesn't know much about the procedure or the echo and I'm on a wait list for a cardiologist (12 months out) I'm wondering if this is normal after this type of surgery and/or will cause complications in the future? Anyone had any experience with it? I feel great and have recovered well, was just surprised to see the regurgitation and heart muscles not performing but curious if it's a normal thing after this type of surgery.

Thanks

Chris

John Cook I have no experience.

However, paravalvalur regurgitation sounds rare, could become serious, and requires surgery to repair. Is there a way to get back in contact with your surgical team to send them the ECHO for evaluation or get bumped up the waiting list?

My surgeon is at a separate facility from my other doctors, about 60 miles away. I’m doing my follow-up scans with my surgeon and if my cardiologist and GP want to see them, they can request them. Pre-surgery, I did it the other way and had my cardiologist’s scans sent to the surgeon for evaluation.
... Read more

Paravalvular Regurgitation: Clinical Outcomes in Surgical and Percutaneous Treatments - PMC

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:443/articles/PMC4976957/

Paravalvular regurgitation (paravalvular leak) is a serious and rare complication associated with valve replacement surgery. Studies have shown a 3% to 6% incidence of paravalvular regurgitation with hemodynamic repercussion. Few studies have ...

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Hey Chris: I´ve not any experience with it, but you´re talking about septal hypokebisia, may be y... Read more

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Hey Chris: I´ve not any experience with it, but you´re talking about septal hypokebisia, may be you mean septal hypokinesia and this could explain the mild regurgitation and weakness of the heart muscle. Despite being a mild regurgitation it´s worth you try to shorten the cardiologist appointment. I hope you work it out

Rose Madura Do you have MyChart capabilities? I have the ability to send a message to the doctor and they can res ... Read more

Rose Madura Do you have MyChart capabilities? I have the ability to send a message to the doctor and they can respond. Also, once a few months after my surgery, I needed to see the cardiologist so the receptionist at his office double booked an appointment to squeeze me in. I'm not sure how things work in Canada. But I agree that you should be a little forceful to advocate for some attention.

Robert Miller I can't speak for your surgery but 12 months to see a cardiologist... That seems wrong. Some regurgit ... Read more

Robert Miller I can't speak for your surgery but 12 months to see a cardiologist... That seems wrong. Some regurgitation is not abnormal but without seeing the echo, it's hard to tell. And your family doctor isn't the right person to look at your echo. First thing is I would get back to the cardiologist/surgeon who ordered the echo.

Sue Maize Hi Chris, Wow, that is a long time to wait for a new cardiologist, even by Canadian standards. :( I ... Read more

Sue Maize Hi Chris, Wow, that is a long time to wait for a new cardiologist, even by Canadian standards. :( I would see if anything comes up under resources on this site, or ask Adam directly because he’s so well connected—maybe it’s a question that could be addressed in tmrw’s webinar? Or maybe contact your first surgeon to see what they would say? I hope you find out sooner rather than later.

Chris Charbsposted an update

461 days ago

Kristin Vano, Andrea Babcock, Darrell Malone reacted to this

I just graduated from my Cardia Rehab Program this week. I'm now 4.5 months post surgery (aortic Valve replacement with a mechanical valve, as well as ascending ...Read more

I just graduated from my Cardia Rehab Program this week. I'm now 4.5 months post surgery (aortic Valve replacement with a mechanical valve, as well as ascending aorta graft to fix a congenital bicuspid aortic valve). I feel back to my old self like it was all just a bad dream, and my heart is functioning much better than before the surgery. I never had any symptoms and my valve issue was found by fluke. When they finally replaced it, it had a hole in the center of one of the flaps. I'm very lucky and Thankful. I ran a 5km race on Sunday and I'm back into the gym lifting moderate weights and everything feels great. I'm really happy with where I am and wanted to share so that others know that these things are possible. I hope everyone is doing well! Keep on ticking!

Kimberly Eisenhut Wonderful to see how well you have progressed Chris!!! Way to go!

Ted Niedziela Love to hear it!

Doug Fults Awesome!

Dan Fouratt Great to hear! We are all ticking well.

Deena Z Awesome good news story. Thank you!

Andrea Babcock Great to hear you are doing so well! Wishing you a long happy life with your mechanical heart valve. ... Read more

Andrea Babcock Great to hear you are doing so well! Wishing you a long happy life with your mechanical heart valve.

Darrell Malone Good stuff Chris. Keep up the great work.

Chris Charbs Thanks everyone!

Chris Charbsposted an update

496 days ago

Chris Charbs reacted to this

Is it common to have a mild regurgitation on an echo 16 weeks post op for a aortic valve replacement. Had an On-x valve put in. I thought it should correct ...Read more

Is it common to have a mild regurgitation on an echo 16 weeks post op for a aortic valve replacement. Had an On-x valve put in. I thought it should correct the regurgitation completely? Anyone else have this issue?

Thanks!

Chris

Robert Miller When they "close you up" they make sure there is no regurgitation. However, based on my cardiologist, ... Read more

Robert Miller When they "close you up" they make sure there is no regurgitation. However, based on my cardiologist, it is not uncommon and not a real concern if you develop some regurgitation weeks and months after the surgery. It's not really something you need to worry about. But you probably want to get more frequent checkups just to see any further development, which hopefully will stabilize. In most cases they do.

Chris Charbs Thanks Robert!

Andrea Babcock My husband had mild regurgitation on his 6 month post surgery Echocardiogram. They did a TEE as well ... Read more

Andrea Babcock My husband had mild regurgitation on his 6 month post surgery Echocardiogram. They did a TEE as well to check on this since they could not see everything very well in the Echo Results due to the noise his 2 mechanical valves make. This gave us PTSD just hearing the word. After the TEE, he was told by 2 Cardiologists that reviewed everything that this tends to be normal with mechanical valves. There are little jets of blood that can get through where the valve is stitched in. We were told it is nothing to be worried about and they almost expect this to happen. He feels great, is strong and has been doing great since 3 month after his surgery. He is now at 8.5 month after surgery. Best Wishes for you!!

Chris Charbs Thanks Andrea, that is really comforting to hear! I appreciate your response and hope your hubby keep ... Read more

Chris Charbs Thanks Andrea, that is really comforting to hear! I appreciate your response and hope your hubby keeps feeling great!

Chris Charbsposted an update

542 days ago

I was wondering if anyone does cold plunges after open heart surgery or uses a sauna/steam room, and if it is safe to do so. I had my aortic valve replaced ...Read more

I was wondering if anyone does cold plunges after open heart surgery or uses a sauna/steam room, and if it is safe to do so. I had my aortic valve replaced 2 months ago with a on-x valve as well as a portion of my ascending aorta. I'm 40 and very active and slowly getting back into my old habits so i'm curious if it's safe to use a sauna/steam room or do regular cold plunges after the 3 month surgical recovery? Anyone have experience post surgery?

Thanks

Chris

Yumiko Ishida At 2 months I was told I could do most things. I had a skin infection that delayed the wound healing, ... Read more

Yumiko Ishida At 2 months I was told I could do most things. I had a skin infection that delayed the wound healing, so I avoided submersing myself in water, but unless you have similar complications with your incision, I think you should be ok. I would ask your surgeon just to be safe.

Richard Munson Wow, cold plunges must be what it sounds like. Doesn't that shock your heart even without heart surge ... Read more

Richard Munson Wow, cold plunges must be what it sounds like. Doesn't that shock your heart even without heart surgery ? Steam room does not seem too bad although with todays humidity it felt like one. I drink a lot of water on days like this. Dehydration not good for the system.

Yumiko Ishida Richard, you should try a cold plunge after spending time in the sauna, steam room, or a hot tub. It� ... Read more

Yumiko Ishida Richard, you should try a cold plunge after spending time in the sauna, steam room, or a hot tub. It’s very refreshing! Supposed to be good for your circulation.