Christopher's Journal

More than 5 months since aortic aneurysm and valve repair. I went to see my surgeon (Dr. Eric Roselli) in August and he said, "100%, no restrictions, you're doing great." I must say I feel better than 100% of what I have been in quite some time. Keeping up the workout regimen to include weights, zone 2, and zone 5 training.

For the sake of others, and my own support. I've decided to post a little more about my almost 7 weeks post open heart surgery for aortic aneurysm repair/bicuspid aortic valve repair. About 4 months prior to the surgery I started developing occasional supraventricular ecotopy (detected by my KardiaMobile 6L). I still have this, particularly when I am fatigued by anything (overdoing it, drinking alcohol, poor sleep). I take 25 mg of Toprol daily, but not sure if it helps or hurts. I feel my heart pounding quite often, particularly when at rest. Through my reading of threads here on this site, this is likely due to the lack of pericardial insulation because this sack was cut during surgery. It MIGHT go away, or it might not based on what I've read. Also, there was one person who found that this sensation could be caused by the fact that I once had a 5.0 anuerysm of my own vessel, and now that blood flows through a 2.8 cm tube of dacron. In any case, reading up on this has made me just realize that the pounding sensation is NORMAL. The pain in my upper body was actually focused more in my upper back, than in my chest, and it has really started to subside. At 7 weeks, I remain frustrated by the feeling that I feel good enough to do stuff, then when I do it (e.g. 2 hours of powerwashing patio and walkways), I really feel fatigued and my heart says...time to rest/nap.

Almost 7 weeks since aortic aneurysm/valve repair. As before surgery, I have less than occasional supraventricular ectopy and sometimes PVCs. I continue to "feel" my heartbeat in the chest quite often particularly when resting/sitting. It's great to be driving and lifting more than 10 pounds, though. Chest and upper back does have some minor pain after doing too much.

I'm almost at 5 weeks post-surgery. Often, I can FEEL my heart beat in my chest. I will take an EKG and its normal. This also seems more common when I am resting and my pulse is very near my resting pulse rate. Had anyone else experienced this?

I am 4 months post aortic valve/aortic aneurysm repair today. My resting heart rate is finally down to what it was before surgery. Still have upper back/chest annoyance (minor pain). Still doing lots of walking.

Almost to week 4. I am really feeling the beats in my heart. I keep taking EKGs and it tells me normal sinus rhythm. Last night, I had pretty consistent supraventricular ectopy.