Diren's Posts

Better, yes, but be realistic about recovery and don't set bar too high. With younger patients (like myself @ 50) there is a tendency to "hear all the noise" about miraculous improvements and being better than ever in no time. It does get better, but fatigue is real, and constant attention to training helps!

Hello, Thank you all for your replies. Sean; My fitness level is terrible; I can't run at all, and even brisk walking only lasts 20-25 minutes at most before I run out of breath and get tired quickly. Your situation is very encouraging; I hope I'll get better too. Rose; My aortic valve will be a mechanical valve; there's also the Ozaki option, but I didn't want that.Your situation has honestly given me even more hope; I hope to be like you after my surgery. Thank you for your support. Alex; I also want to be both realistic and positive about the recovery period. Of course, the process will take time. I honestly want to be more results-oriented; my performance won't improve drastically, but you can't help but think that with a new aortic valve, you can do sports better and be more resilient. John; Yes, this was a different example. Honestly, I also have many symptoms, and of course, fear, because if I push myself too hard, I feel like I'm going to faint, I get dizzy, and I can't breathe. Because of this fear, I can't even do sports. But I hope you will also reach your old performance level as time goes on. Marie: I guess I have no choice but to be patient, because I really miss playing tennis. And I truly want to believe that I will feel better and be more resilient after the surgery.

Diren, it seems strange to me that your cardiologist told you to return in 6 months yet you are experiencing such fatigue and shortness of breath. If I felt that way I would push everyone I could to get it done sooner rather then later because everything I read says that the success rate is much better on a healthy heart!! Yours sounds worrisome!!!!!! I don’t feel any symptoms except ones that make me think I’m being paranoid, like faint dull pain in my chest at times. I still run and never seem to be out of breath, which makes me think there’s nothing wrong with me, yet they’ve tested me like a guinea pig doing everything they could to ensure it is a severely leaking valve! So I wait like you!! But your symptoms worry me!! I hope they help you sooner rather than later!!!

Hi Diren It is a big chance that you come out much better, I did. But it is not a miracle and we all need to adapt to our prerequisites. I am back much better but it takes time, discipline, being prepared for set backs etc. I followed the rehab I was offered for more than 3 months even after I started working again. Continued training. Had to do other surgeries last summer which set me back,,, but keep on going, put small realistic goals that fits you and see how far it takes you. 30th of July it will be 2 years since i had my surgery and 1 year since they tried to fix my anerysm on my kidney artery. You can do it but as many wisely said take it in a realistic pace. ❤️

Hi Chad, thanks a lot for your concern. I sometimes have the same thoughts myself. I’ve seen about four different doctors; only one said I needed to have the surgery without delay (due to the aneurysm), while the others described my aortic insufficiency as moderate. However, I really do get tired and winded very quickly; let alone running, I can walk at most 2 km before I’m completely exhausted. When walking—especially on slight inclines—I even struggle to speak. Mine is actually more about breathing than fatigue; I run out of breath and feel like I’m going to faint. Frankly, the doctors said the heart enlargement caused by the insufficiency isn't too severe, so I go for check-ups and echocardiograms every six months. I’m really glad you’re able to run; I suppose your heart or lungs are in much better shape. I had an exercise stress test too, and nothing abnormal showed up there either. I share the same concerns as you—the issue of a mechanical valve, the fear of using blood thinners, and having the chest fully opened. My doctor mentioned that the procedure could be done through the spaces between the ribs; however, since my aorta also needs to be replaced due to an aneurysm, he said that at least the upper part of the breastbone would need to be opened to get a better view of that area. As I said, having the breastbone opened is my biggest fear (though there may well be more important things to worry about, I suppose—I just don't want to think about those). Another fear of mine is waking up after surgery with a tube in my throat and being unable to breathe; it would be wonderful if they could remove the tube before I wake up.

If I remember correctly from a video on another site I watched, CABG patients usually wake up without the tube but sometimes do. Valve patients always wake up with the tube. Personally, I don’t remember the first 1 to 1.5 days. I’m told I woke up and tried to take it out (like everyone does; hence why we are tethered). But I have no memory of it.