I am a 57 year-old fitness instructor that was totally surprised by the need for heart surgery. I had no idea I needed a valve repair. I felt great prior ...Read more
I am a 57 year-old fitness instructor that was totally surprised by the need for heart surgery. I had no idea I needed a valve repair. I felt great prior to surgery. Now after almost three months of recovery (surgery was 1/3/2018) I still do not feel good. I did not go to cardiac rehab right away - but am going to start soon. I am walking 4 to 5 miles per day and just started adding a few light weight training days to my weeks but I have an almost constant "pinching" feeling in the area of my heart. Like the doc left a chip clip or something on my heart. I know that sounds crazy but that is what it feels like. According to the docs - surgery was successful - looks good on the echo cardio gram. I just was hoping to feel like my pre-surgery self by now. Thanks for this support group! So happy to find this community.
Rita Savelis Hi Karla, I'm sorry you had to go through this and as a fitness instructor it is probably doubly hard ... Read more
Rita Savelis Hi Karla, I'm sorry you had to go through this and as a fitness instructor it is probably doubly hard for you as it is for most athletes. You felt great before surgery and recovery is long, much longer than one imagines. One doesn't necessarily feel better after surgery (or certainly for a long time) but instead just "different".
It can be disheartening.
I felt a sort of tightening feeling in my chest off and on for a long time after OHS. Not pain, just an odd feeling. I've now decided that's what it feels like post OHS.
Your body had been through a lot and 3 months is a short time for your heart to get over what it's been through.
Cardiac rehab should be good for you if only for the psychological benefits of being around others in the same boat.
Take care.
Barbara Wood 3 months is still very early. I had a kind if tingling sensation across my upper chest that lasted fo ... Read more
Barbara Wood 3 months is still very early. I had a kind if tingling sensation across my upper chest that lasted for months- the skin felt very sensitive. Cardiac rehab is a good step, it brings some reassurance. Best wishes!
Kathy Blank Karla- I had my MV repair 14 mos ago and as an athlete I found cardiac rehab to be a crucial part of ... Read more
Kathy Blank Karla- I had my MV repair 14 mos ago and as an athlete I found cardiac rehab to be a crucial part of my full recovery. I could walk 6 miles by the time I started rehab at 1 month post op but I was pretty surprised how long it took to regain my cardio with exertion- when I was finally allowed to run at 2 mos post op my auxiliary breathing muscles in L neck got very sore and myotherapy finally worked it out after 3 weeks of treatment. Every time I increased the exertion it would come back again. It took a good 5 mos until I felt I had all my energy back. Any pain or discomfort/symptom I first tried to rule out a cardiac issue and then kept investigating until I found the cause of it. Hope the rehab can help you discover the root cause of the discomfort! Did you have a sternotomy or minimally invasive repair?
Michael Neverisky Hi Karla. Like you, I was in good health and surprised to find out that the fatigue I was feeling wa ... Read more
Michael Neverisky Hi Karla. Like you, I was in good health and surprised to find out that the fatigue I was feeling was due to a failing valve (repaired 2.8.2018). I was told to expect recovery to "span four seasons", so you're only only season in and, as Barbara said, it's very early. Discuss everything with your cardiologist, and give yourself time to heal. Heart surgery is a Big Deal to our bodies and minds!
Heath Knight I am 6 months past my surgery date and still don't feel 100%. My doc says everything is good. I go ... Read more
Heath Knight I am 6 months past my surgery date and still don't feel 100%. My doc says everything is good. I go for my 6 month check up in a couple weeks so we'll see. I also was really physically fit before my surgery. I sometimes feel as though the surgery made me worse. They say it made me better I just have to wait for it.
I dealt with some tachycardia for the first 3-6 months. My experience was it took about 9 months for full recovery. The tachycardia subsided so like others there is some time needed for recovery.
Michael
Tina Williams I am so relieved to read this- my MV repair was 5 months ago and though I quickly got back in the sad ... Read more
Tina Williams I am so relieved to read this- my MV repair was 5 months ago and though I quickly got back in the saddle, I certainly don't feel like I did pre-surgery. My shortness of breath catches me by surprise at times and I swear I can feel that implanted clip inside of me. The worst part though is as the "nerve block" wears off- one side of my chest and armpit is ultra hyper-sensitive. After reading this I guess I just need to relax and be patient a while longer:)
It can be disheartening.
I felt a sort of tightening feeling in my chest off and on for a long time after OHS. Not pain, just an odd feeling. I've now decided that's what it feels like post OHS.
Your body had been through a lot and 3 months is a short time for your heart to get over what it's been through.
Cardiac rehab should be good for you if only for the psychological benefits of being around others in the same boat.
Take care.
I dealt with some tachycardia for the first 3-6 months. My experience was it took about 9 mo ... Read more
I dealt with some tachycardia for the first 3-6 months. My experience was it took about 9 months for full recovery. The tachycardia subsided so like others there is some time needed for recovery.
Michael