Heath's Journal

Stephen Phayre  I'm a few weeks behind you but am feeling so much better now that I'm not coughing every 20 seconds! Did you do Cardiac Rehab?

Heath Larner  I did not. My cardiologist said that it was for folks who were not in very good shape going into surgery. I am very active and have always worked out, so they said it would be a waste of time and money.

Rita Savelis  Yes!
It can be hard for me to get my mind off of my loud heart, especially during quiet moments.

I often hold a pillow to my chest just to muffle it all!

This doesn't mean it's not manageable, just that, yes, Heath, it is annoying!

Take care.

  Oh yes, I can so relate! I have the On-X as well and I can hear the ticking and pounding especially at nighttime when it's quiet. I am almost 5 months postop.

Catie B  I relate very much, Heath! I found it extremely hard to sleep because the strong heartbeat seemed to rock my whole upper torso and neck. I have a tissue valve. I'm almost four months out now, and it's gotten calmer.

Heath Larner  The opening in my original aorta was so small that the doc said I was close to heart failure. My heart had to work harder than most to push through blood, and had grown thicker than average (which he said would regress back to normal over time). I guess my (our) stronger than average heart(s) combined with a now wide open valve simply produce a really strong beat...which I can hear as I type!

Thanks for the feedback.

Bob Jensen  Heath. I had a tissue I ordered valve replaced two and a half weeks ago and when I lie in bed I can almost see my chest moving as my heart beats it really thumbs hard I talked to my cardiologist and he said this is normal and that it will calm down over time but should be reassured that your heart is beating strong and the valve is working so I am taking that as a surance and got exceeding prayers not just answering them through all of this

Bob Jensen  Heath. I had a tissue I ordered valve replaced two and a half weeks ago and when I lie in bed I can almost see my chest moving as my heart beats it really thumbs hard I talked to my cardiologist and he said this is normal and that it will calm down over time but should be reassured that your heart is beating strong and the valve is working so I am taking that as a surance and got exceeding prayers not just answering them through all of this

Ruth Valenzuela  I'm 1 year and 4 months out and I still get the strong heartbeat especially at night in my neck. It drives me bananas because it stops from falling asleep sometimes.

  My surgeon told me I would most likely hear mine. I am glad he did or I would have freaked out. My cardiologist says the fast heart beat will slow down as I heal more. 3 months tomorrow!!!

roseline hartmann  Maybe the repair to your innominate artery...may have irritated that braquial bundle, which are the nerves that go to your arm or the way they strap us to the table can irritate those nerves. Relay that info to your surgeon. Praying that it passes.

Catie B  Heath, I had a sharp, terrible intermittent pain when I moved my right arm for several weeks. Mine was in front, near where my arm and torso connect, and certain movements -- mainly reaching outward-- brought radical pain.
Not sure what you're dealing with, but I hope it resolves very soon. Sounds very intense and like it's affecting you much.

Lilly Black  Heath, I have had this pain above my right knee all the way up my thigh from the heart catheter. My surgery was 12 hrs so I'm sure it had to do a lot with the amount of time this catheter was inside me. Here's what I did. I massaged the area above my knee and up my thigh several times a day when I was on my 3 month disability. I used a moisture heat pad a couple of times a day for about 6 months. I walked a lot, and stretched my leg. I massaged it again and again using coconut oil. It took about 6 months for the initial pain to go away. After 2 years, it's still a bit tender, but I cannot complain about it. It doesn't stop from doing anything, and the pain has subsided 100%. I didn't need any pain meds. I was very persistent and kept at it. I hope this is helpful for you. Let me know if you have any questions.

Phyllis Petersen  I had robotic MVr, so was cleared more quickly, but by the time insurance said okay, etc. (I called as soon as I was cleared at 2 weeks) it was probably about 6 weeks. Are you able to get out walking?

Rita Savelis  Four weeks. Went to cardiac rehab. Did get tired easily though. You should do whatever you feel ready for, but don't overdo it right away. Take it slow to start.

Cathleen DeWitt  About a month after OHS and I joined a senior citizen cardio class at my gym called Silver Sneakers lol. I figured that was about my level for the first 3 months. Even though I was in great shape, after OHS it actually kicked my butt lol but the class was full of heart surgery survivors (although 40-50 years my senior). 😊 Back to totally normal workouts and lifting by 6 months.

Heath Larner  I tried to enroll in cardiac rehab but was told by my doc that I didn't need it due to the shape I was in. I do lots of body weight exercises...push-ups, dips, squats, pull-ups, stand on head presses, etc. I am aching to get started again. Sitting around sucks. I do walk a lot but walking is boring. March 1st will be 3 months. Seems like forever away.

Darlene Smith  Real workouts I had to wait 3 months (doctors orders), but I was able to walk and ride a stationary bike after a couple weeks. Just took it slow at first and worked up to longer walks/rides.

Phyllis Petersen  I don't know why they would say you didn't need cardiac rehab especially since you were in good shape before the surgery. Being monitored and having a professional exercise specialist designing programs and adjusting them to get you really moving again would be even more important for you. My program advances a little almost every day I go (M-W-F). They added another minute to my intervals and changed them to 1 min at 4% and 1 min at 1%, so not as much recovery. But, because they can see my heart rate on their monitor at the front, and they check blood pressure most of the way through the intervals, if something changed they can quickly adjust or stop my workout. Yesterday I was increased to squats with an 18 lb. kettlebell, 30 lbs. resistance rows on a special machine while in a lunge, lat pulldowns w/ 50 lbs., chest press machine w/ 70 lbs. and crunches. I'd be nervous of pushing that hard without advice and monitoring.

  I walked the day after I got home. Was told 1 mile by day 30, did it by day 11. Going to YMCA to treadmill at about 6 weeks. Swimming soon!

Steven A Husted  best wishes in your recovery when you get ready for it try cardio rehab phase 2 and 3 it is a great way to recover from ohs

Lynn Whipp  I did not exactly have my innominate artery repaired but I had a complete aortic and valve replacement to tbe middle of tbe aortic arch past that artery. Surgery at Duke University with Dr. Hughes. Brain was cooled. Surgery went well, about 4 hours (expected five) and was out of hospital in 4 days. Spent one month in M. C. walked one or two miles a day. My strength is not all back, but hopefully getting there before too long. Bit of set back with infection recently but after 17 days on keflex am better.

Jeannette McLaughlin  Hello! Heath - on Sept. 28, 2016, I had bovine aortic valve replacement, as well as ascending aorta replacement (due to aneurysm). I did not have innominate artery repair. However, I did have a pacemaker implanted eight days after the surgery due to a complication with my heart's electrical system at the time of surgery. Despite having three new parts, I have recovered very quickly and wish you the same!

Clare Auten  I am not a guy but I cut my legs shaving frequently. They keep my INR pretty low and bleeding time is usually not an issue.

Ellen Leng  Also not a guy and often cut myself shaving my legs. I have been really careful since starting the coumadin and so far have not cut myself. I have considered using an electric shaver, but should only be on the coumadin another 3-4 weeks.

Steven A Husted  try a tissue valve so you dont have to use coumadin or if you already have a mech.valve try a electric shaver

Craig Gay  Heath, Craig nics his chin every once in a while and he's on Coumadin. It doesn't bleed any more than prior to Coumadin. If you get an On-X valve, the INR levels are pretty low after the first three months. It's also quiet as compared to other mechanical valves. Yvonne (Craig's wife)

Chris Vereb  I am on Coumadin. They tell you that you should use electric razor. I might have told you before about me. So far so good on Coumadin. I work full time for UPS loading semi trailers by hand. Packages are any where from one pound to 150 lbs. Its very physical. I can get a bruise from work quite easily. They have been nothing out of the ordinary though. I might be lucky too.

Heath Larner  Thanks for the feedback, folks. Rob & Chris...electric razors do a poor job on my neck and my neck hair grows crazy directions. :-)

Steven A Husted  my fear was bleeding internally because of stones with blood thinners that is why i chose a tissue valve i know they say they can control the blood thinners but i felt more safe with a tissue valve

Alina FH  Heath, it is totally a personal choice. I advise you to research and weigh the pros and cons for you. I am 41 and I have a mechanical valve, although originally I was very scared of coumadin. I have asked many doctors and they assured me the coumadin is an old drug, tried and true and managed by millions of patients. Ultimately, my strong wish to try everything I can to prevent having this surgery again won and I went with the mechanical valve. So far, coumadin has been OK, although I am still learning how to balance my INR range. It just needs to make sense to you and to your lifestyle. The best of luck!

Chris Vereb  I am 51. I went with mechanical. Its only been since June 14th 2016 but Coumadin no problem. I work very physical job at UPS. I still have a beer or two every other day...☺ My surgeon went with Sorin Top Hat valve. Mine is very quiet. I have to be in a very quiet room, open my mouth and then I can hear it...lol Like everyone will tell you its personal choice.

Alina FH  My doctor chose an On-X valve and it is very quiet, too. Just like Chris, I can only hear it in the dead of the night when all is quiet and my mouth is open. No one else can hear it.

Marie Leighton  As all are saying, a very personal choice. I am going with tissue valves (mitral & aortic) but I am 60 and decision made with prayer. And since it hasn't happened yet, I suppose that there is the possibility that I will rethink it.

Amy Steele  Hi Heath. I'm 52, just had aortic valve replacement last week and chose a tissue valve. Since the aortic root was also needing replacement I went with the all-in-one Medtronic Freestyle valve. My surgeon and my husband were originally trying to push me toward a mechanical valve, but with the root replacement, both were very pleased with the tissue choice. Me too! I really didn't want to deal with coumadin since I have other female problems that would be difficult to manage on blood thinners. I figure that when my valve wears out, they will have made even more strides in cardiac surgery... Hopefully that will be a long time tho. Remember as everyone else is saying, YOU have the final say in the decision. As long as you are good with your valve choice, it's the one for you. I know that doesn't really make the ultimate decision any easier though. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers...

Eddie Patton  It's up to you, do your research, understand pluses and minuses, do what is best for you and don't look back. I was 50 when I made the decision, tough decision for that age group as you really sit close to the line for the recent recommendations. Good luck, happy to help if you have more questions. Lots of good people and info here so don't be shy.

Lisa Heinen  I followed in Adam's footsteps and opted for the Ross Procedure at 47 - just over 1 year post-op and no regrets! I also struggled with the decision as I didn't want re-op in 8-10 years and I definitely didn't want to take coumadin for life. Definitely a personal choice - very blessed and thankful there are options.

Jeannette McLaughlin  Hello! Heath - On Sept. 28, 2016, I received a Carpenter-Edwards Perimount Magna Ease Aortic bovine tissue valve. Due to my age (72), a tissue valve was the valve of choice for me. My surgeon says that the bovine valve will last 15 to 20 years or even longer. If it needs to be replaced down the road, I could get the TAVR procedure or some other new procedure. I didn't qualify for the TAVR this time since I needed two replacement procedures - aortic valve and ascending aorta. At 47 years old, if you choose the tissue valve, it will mean more surgeries down the road. I understand your dilemma, re: anticoagulant 'cause that was one pill I didn't want to have to take for the rest of my life. I know some people who are having a hard time with it (frequent blood tests, etc.). On the other hand, some people manage well with it. Good luck with your decision!

Rita Savelis  Given your young age and your gender it's understandable that a surgeon would recommend mechanical.
It's all so personal and depends on so many things.
There is no right answer and whatever choice you make, you could have made the other one.
Some people with tissue valves still have to take coumadin (often for other heart reasons and as a "side effect" of OHS), some people with mechanical valves need to be reoperated. There are no guarantees.
I'm 55 and have 2 mechanical valves and a third repaired valve. There is a period of adjustment to taking meds and then you just get on with it.
I'm sorry you have to go through OHS. Those darn valves!

Ted Miko  Hi Heath. Just finished getting a tissue AVR. Same deal, doc recommended mechanical, but I really didn't want to take warfin . My surgeon told me the last 3, 45-50 yr olds went with tissue. I am counting on that in 15yrs that the amazing rate that valves, procedures improve , the next one should be non invasive. I am 10 days post surgery and at home. things are good, I only have to take a baby aspirin for blood thinner. I've only had one thing happen , it was a fever of 101 the second evening home. I live 25 miles from town and on the way to emerg it broke. By Gods grace they ran a ton of test and found nothing! Have felt great since. I went on the treadmill as it was snowing that night and believe I may have pushed it. Arnold Schwarzenegger ruined his first valve job doing the same thing. Anyway, I have no regret in the choice I've made. I am a heavy duty mechanic , weight train like a mad man and play with drag race cars. ALL of which I plan on being back at in 6-10 weeks . The good Lord willing! God bless you bro on your surgery and your valve choice. I think the toughest thing is making that valve choice in this whole deal. Just a side note, BLESSINGS to all SPOUSES who are helping us get through this. I know my deal would be ALOT rougher without my beautiful wife.

Craig Gay  Craig is 48 and surgeon recommended a mechanical valve. He received an On-X valve 4 weeks ago tomorrow and INR remains in range and we've not changed a thing with his diet. And the beauty with this valve is the INR range after 3 months is only 1.8-2.0 which is pretty low and requires very little Coumadin. It is a very personal choice and we chose the one and done due to the fact that the pig valve doesn't last very long in younger patients and since he had endocarditis last year (the reason for the aortic valve replacement), he's susceptible to another infection. His endocarditis came from a UTI and he self cath. Best of luck to you! Yvonne

Jason Renfrow  I am 40 and going tissue. Do your research especially as it relates to Coumadin and bleeding. At our age the chance of a major bleed in our lifetime is very high. Also don't count out the Ross if done by a skilled surgeon.

Corey Sines  I am 40 and going with a Mechanical On-X valve for MV replacement surgery in November. I have struggled with this decision too. Aortic Valves right now have more options with TAVR becoming a common surgery and lasting a little longer than MV's. Known bleed event data is based on older valves. Just recently the INR recommended ranges were reduced for the Aortic (and soon the Mitral valve) for the On-X valve, so it should reduce the chances and intensity of any bleed events. Also, their are clinical trials to go to Aspirin/Plavix therapy instead of Coumadin as well for the On-X valve that are going very well. All this played into my decision, but as everyone said, there is no perfect valve replacement choice and its a personal decision.

Susan Lyons  I will be bummed if I do need to be on Coumadin because then I won't be able to donate blood any longer. But my family keeps reminding me that I have to do what's best for me first. Also my surgeon said that you can do at home tests now and not have to go to your doctor's office.

Rob Wigley  I had my BAV replaced in November 2013 with a horse tissue valve. My long range plan is that if I need this one replaced in 10-15 years they will have perfected the trans catheter valve replacement by then.....However I just had a small scare and thought my valve was in trouble (it's NOT!) and the thought of having this surgery again, OHS, was enough to almost make me regret my choice......but all things being equal, I did NOT want to be on thinners the rest of my life. I ski a lot, and though I don't make it a habit to dodge between trees, any hard hit to my body might cause bad bleeding internally.......and I just didn't want to deal with it otherwise.....

  I had the St. Jude's Aorta heart valve. On Coumadin, doing good. My blood draws (INR) have stayed within the ranges they like. Blood draws were 2 times a week, then once a week, now starting on every 2 weeks. Hopefully, I can get it so I go once a month. It takes time, just be patient. I just go to the cardiologist office now and they only do a finger prick instead of a regular blood draw like at a hospital or lab.