Dr. Jim Savard - Heart Valve Journal

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February 7, 2019 Like | Adam Pick, Debbie Kelly, Shannon Gray and 1 other likes this

RUBY LANE ...

Adam Pick Cuite-Pie!

Susan Lynn She's gorgeous! 💗

LINDA ROBERTS Precious!

Fay Kozas What a beautiful baby!

My WONDERFUL Wife

Journal posted on December 13, 2018

After much prodding from my WONDERFUL wife, I went to my cardiologist to discuss the very slight tightness in my chest. RESULT - Had a 95% blockage in the Left Descending Anterior (LDA) artery. Same day service on inserting a stent, and the RESULT - I feel ABSOLUTELY GREAT! THANK YOU KAREN (my WONDERFUL wife)!

God Bless,
Jim Savard

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Marie Myers You are one lucky guy!

Dr. Jim Savard INDEED ... I married UP!

Update posted on...

June 30, 2018

About a year after mitral valve replacement, I am having tightness in my chest when I do heavy exercise. Also, seem to be getting dehydrated more quickly that results is low blood pressure. Thank you.

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Marie Myers I would think your cardiologist would want to rule out CAD with a stress test or cardiac cath. Have you ruled out reflux? That can mimic chest pain...

Dr. Jim Savard Marie, THANK YOU for your message.Reflux was my first hypothesis . I am scheduled for an EKG on 7 August. Regular cardiogram is absolutely perfect. Again, THANK YOU!

Marie Myers No problem. Maybe you should consider a 2 week trial of OTC products such as Nexium (or equivalent) also. Hope you get a definitive answer soon!

Dr. Jim Savard Will try after the results from my EKG. Again, Thank you.

Dr. Jim Savard Hi Marie, Stress Echo Cardiogram found a 95% blockage in the Left Anterior Descending (LDA) artery --- put in a new piece of pipe (stent) and ALL is GREAT! GOD Bless

Marie Myers You are one lucky guy!!!

K-2 Vitamins

Journal posted on April 18, 2018

Do K-2 vitamins reduce calcification in heart valves?

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Sophia Ridley I’ve read it does, not sure if medically proven. I would love to know if it can reverse calcification. Didn’t eat my greens until I realised, post op, ... Read more

Sophia Ridley I’ve read it does, not sure if medically proven. I would love to know if it can reverse calcification. Didn’t eat my greens until I realised, post op, the benefits of K, now can’t get enough (I’m on aspirin). I have a calcified valve, they cleaned what they could during my repair. My issue is my body produces a lot of calcium generally... no fillings, and great bone mass but doesn’t always go to the right areas.

I wonder if living in a hard water area isn’t good either.

I would love to know a good source of K2 - I’ve never found organic natto - which is readily available. I was taking drops but my heart rhythm was going a little wobbly so stopped.

Marie Myers My cardiologist recommends both Vitamin D and K2. Food sources are best, but I take !000 u D3 and 80 mcg K2 daily. Hoping it will help my bones as well.

kirshbaum marilynne Thank you Sophia and Marie. I have been doing lots of reading about K2, but have not seen endorsements from medical docs. Thanks for posting the dosage too.

Barbara Adams I have been reading about Vitamin K2. I am 2 years post op aortic valve replacement. I take calcium supplements for osteoporosis and remain concerned about ... Read more

Barbara Adams I have been reading about Vitamin K2. I am 2 years post op aortic valve replacement. I take calcium supplements for osteoporosis and remain concerned about the possible relationship between calcium supplements and calcified valves. My physician says no relationship between the two. My cardiologist says there are conflicting studies. I am wondering whether I should be taking K2. Doing well, by the way!

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February 20, 2018 Like | Rose Madura, Elaine Phares and 1 other likes this

Dr. Jim Savard LIFE is GREAT --- Keep on Ticking!

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ANOTHER ONE OF GOD'S MIRACLES -- RUBY LANE NAUGHTON - Age, 1 month (1/15/2018)

WATER - The Grand Elixer

Journal posted on October 17, 2017

Played 18 holes of golf on a hilly course in Colorado and I drank 70 ounces of water during the round ---- ABSOLUTELY NO LIGHT-HEADEDNESS.

So simple and so obvious, yet did not initially think to accomplish this task - My Bad!

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Getting a Bit Light-Headed

Journal posted on September 12, 2017

After 4.5 months post-op mitral valve replacement surgery, minor concern ... after fairly strenuous exercise, I seem to be getting a bit light-headed. Is that normal?

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Steve Farthing Obviously I am not an expert, but will guess it is not all that unusual. However, given the horrible air quality around Littleton lately, that could also be ... Read more

Steve Farthing Obviously I am not an expert, but will guess it is not all that unusual. However, given the horrible air quality around Littleton lately, that could also be a factor. You can monitor it at airnow.gov. Some days recently have degraded into the 'unhealthy' red category where 'Everyone may begin to experience health effects...' I avoid doing much on those days. All of Littleton, Denver, etc is in the yellow moderate category right now due to ozone, not smoke.

Update posted on...

July 22, 2017

Is it normal, two months after mitral valve replacement surgery, to experience a great deal of expurgation of phlegm?

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Michael Meyer Jim:
I did not have that experience after mitral valve repair surgery.

Marie Myers I was coughing up gunk for 5-6 weeks after AVR. Did not feel like my lungs were fully expanded till 8 weeks post op.

Lilly Black I had that happen after my first surgery. 3 weeks of expurgation with cough! After my second surgery, nothing at all. Talk to your doctor, because I am sorry ... Read more

Lilly Black I had that happen after my first surgery. 3 weeks of expurgation with cough! After my second surgery, nothing at all. Talk to your doctor, because I am sorry I did not, and it was because my doctor was not in close proximity. I managed to overcome it, but in hind site, I would have gone to my doctor to do get some intervention. Good luck!

Barbara Wood I had mitral valve repair 8 weeks ago. I had a cough with lots of mucus early on- so bad it woke me up at night. My pcp thought it was due to fluid retention ... Read more

Barbara Wood I had mitral valve repair 8 weeks ago. I had a cough with lots of mucus early on- so bad it woke me up at night. My pcp thought it was due to fluid retention & I was prescribed lasix for a week. It went away very quickly along with about 4-5 lbs of excess fluid.

Lilly Black Barbara, that was the difference between my first and second surgery. My second surgery, doctors were really concerned about fluid retention, used Lasix and ... Read more

Lilly Black Barbara, that was the difference between my first and second surgery. My second surgery, doctors were really concerned about fluid retention, used Lasix and had lung xrays to ensure the water retention was absorbing in my body. They tried to remove the fluid surrounding my lung but was not successful. However, I had no phlegm and it took about 5 weeks for the fluid to dissipate on its own. Needless to say, although second surgery was 12 hrs , it was a much better experience!

Laura Jacobs I have had no phlegm at all, no coughing, or any issues with fluid retention.

Dr. Jim Savard Thank you everyone.

CALCIFICATION OF MITRAL VALVES

Journal posted on May 31, 2017

Adam,

Do you have any research on what causes calcification of mitral valves?

Thank you,
Jim Savard
jsavard@1965.usna.com

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Catie B Hi Jim. Hopefully, Adam will chime in. But in the meanwhile, here's a post he uploaded last fall. My understanding has been that they haven't yet figured out ... Read more

Catie B Hi Jim. Hopefully, Adam will chime in. But in the meanwhile, here's a post he uploaded last fall. My understanding has been that they haven't yet figured out everything that may contribute to valves calcifying.

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2016/09/15/calcification/

Surgeon Q&A: What Are 8 Important Facts About Calcified Heart Valves?

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2016/09/15/calcification/

I’ll never forget when my cardiologist said to me, “Adam, The calcium on your valve is causing serious problems. Your valve is stenotic. You need a new valv

Dr. Jim Savard Thank you Catie.
God Bless,
Jim Savard

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April 20, 2017

BEAU IN THE STREAM

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April 20, 2017

RIVER IN THE RIVER

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April 19, 2017

JUST DO IT

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April 20, 2017

DAVID ROBINSON IS A REALLY BIG GUY!

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April 19, 2017

U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY ALUMNI BASKETBALL GAME.

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April 20, 2017

COACH JIM VALVANO North Carolina State

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April 19, 2017

SHILOH AT 1 MONTH

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April 19, 2017

As a retired airline captain I do know: YOUR ATTITUDE DETERMINES YOUR ALTITUDE

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April 20, 2017

SHILOH HAYES

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April 20, 2017 Like | Terrie Hodges, Cathleen DeWitt, Melissa Houser and 3 others like this

RIVER DANIEL

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BEAU DAVID

Looking Forward to Mitral Valve and Cox-Maze Procedures

Journal posted on April 19, 2017

Looking forward to this operation so I can get back to working out and watching our grandsons River (3), Beau (2), and our granddaughter Shiloh (1) grow into Christ-loving adults.

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Adam Pick Love your attitude Jim. What could be better than getting past this operation to spend time with your grand kids and your family. Thanks for sharing!

Adam Pick By the way, here's some information about heart valve therapy and the Maze procedure. https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/atrial-fibrillation/