Home > Community > Patient News Feed > Mark Schmitz

Mark's Posts

Diagnosis: Aortic Stenosis, Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Aortic Aneurysm

Member Since: October 28, 2014

Send Mark a Note

My Posts

Mark Schmitz posted an update

9 years ago (April 24, 2017)

I am about 3 years post op for AVR and lately have been bouts of slow pule rates with dizziness and weakness, (probably about once every month and a half). I take my pulse and it hovers at or below 60 for about an hour and then the symptoms disappear,... Read more.

Marie Myers

Could be a heart rhythm problem. Have you checked in with your cardiologist? He may want you to wear a monitor for a week or so to see what really happens with your heart rhythms.

Mark Schmitz posted an update

11 years ago (February 8, 2015)

I am 8 weeks post op for Aortic Valve Replacement surgery and aortic root enlargement with a Dacron patch. Here are a few notes and observations: I had an opening of .9 sq. cm aortic valve and after a cardiac cath., the dr.s notified me that I had an enlarged ascending aorta. My first surgeon stated I would need a full sternotomy and suggested a mechanical valve due to my age. I got a second opinion and some more tests from the Mayo clinic in Rochester since I live in Wisconsin. Dr.'s and surgeon stated same procedure but I could choose either type of valve. Got online and found this site and patients that saw Dr. Accola, and saw some videos of him as well. Flew to Florida to see him and he stated he could do a hemi-sternotomy and repair the herniated aorta as well. Made a date 2 weeks out and went home to get ready. Making the date was one of the hardest things to do. In retrospect, should have done it earlier. Bring along an IPOD with noise cancelling headphones. Include your favorite music. It definitely got me out of a dark place and gave me motivation to move. Post Op. I do not remember much in the ICU. No real recollection of the breathing tube being in. I was worried about that prior. Up in recovery room - make sure to tell nurses if you need something. I didn't need much pain relief, just wanted to get a good nights sleep mostly. Be prepared for whatever comes. We all recover differently! At Home: Recliner is awesome. TV by bed is good as well. Took me 4 weeks to get about 50% of my strength back. Felt very week and figity on Xmas eve - went in to see Dr. and he said I had A-fib. Medication took care of that right away. Spirometer helped immensely. Some side affects of the surgery started disappearing after week 6/7. Numbness, dizziness, double vision, constantly tired. CARDIAC REHAB HAS BEEN VERY IMPORTANT TO MY RECOVERY!! Get it going as soon as possible. This week, week 8, I have started feeling really good at certain times of the day! (mostly in the a.m.) I didn't feel this good for a long time! I mean years! I am 49 so I always wrote it off as getting old, but now I know it was my valve. I took tylenol pm to help me sleep - 1/2 of a Xanax to help me relax some nights and Zofran for the nausea. Zofran was great. I would recommend for everyone leaving the hospital. Things I liked to eat in recovery: crackers, soup, ginger ale, ice water, ham sandwiches and now a days Subway. Take a lot of video before, during and after. It helps to see the progress. That's all that I can think of for now. Hope this helps those getting ready for the big day or in the recovery process. Feel free to ask me anything! Hope to post a picture of scar soon, just have to figure how to do it. Peace

👍 Pam Driggs reacted to this

Jim Kelly-Evans

Thanks, Mark, yes your post is very helpful and reassuring. Congratulations on your recovery.

Tammy Pilcher

Mark, it's so good to hear from you! I was just thinking about you yesterday. I'm glad you're doing better! Sounds like Dr. Accola did the same surgery for you that he did for me. I also got the aortic root enlargement with the Dacron patch. Do you know the... Read more.

Carlos Ortiz

Thanks Mark for your insight. I'm almost 4wks post-op and still having issues getting out of bed without straining myself....I wish I had an easier way to push myself up! Good luck!

Kimberly Biddick

So glad to hear you are doing well! Thanks for sharing your experience!

Mark Schmitz

Hi Tammy! My measurement aorta pre surgery was 4.6 cm pre-op. I also went with a bovine valve because I didn't want to be on blood thinners for the rest of my life and I didn't want to hear my heart "clicking" all the time. Coincidently, I am now on... Read more.

Tammy Pilcher

Thanks Mark! My enlarged ascending aorta was 3.8 pre op, but I didn't know it until reading my reports post op after getting home. So I was hoping when he did the aortic root enlargement that it also addressed my enlarged aorta. Is that what he said fixed yours? I... Read more.

Mark Schmitz

I don't remember exactly what he said but I believe he said that he also did a repair of the aorta. I am not sure what that meant. I hope to find out when I have a consult with him. Take care!!

Bob M

What an amazing journey! Take it easy heart brother.

Eleanor R

For me it is now close to seven months, but I do remember the overall tiredness well. I could not understand how I could be so weak, when they had me sitting up and walking in the hospital right away, but it does take time for our bodies, no matter... Read more.

Kathy Letsos

Thank you for posting! Good luck on your continuing recovery!

Pam Driggs

Glad you are doing well!! I am glad that you mentioned about the breathing tube and not really being aware of it. That is one of my biggest fears. So thank you!!

Cheryl Batzing

Mark, so glad you are continuing to heal heart brother!

Mark Schmitz posted an update

11 years ago (January 9, 2015)

Has anyone experienced double vision post op? I am not talking the 1978 smash album from the rock group Foreigner, but actually double vision. I experience it a couple times a week. Is it normal or is it a sign of something? Thanks Mark

👍 Kathryn Waymire reacted to this

Joan Napier

Mark, I would definitely call your cardiologist ASAP, or even go to the ER if it happens again. Visual disturbances post HVS could possibly be a sign of a TIA (trans ischemic attack or mini stroke) and need to be checked out. Not to alarm you, as your double vision... Read more.

Tina Fluhrer

I have read of many other stories with double vision. I agree, call your nurse to report it and get guidance on this.

Jim O'Brien

Mark, I too have had some double vision. The first time happened about 10 days post op, was pretty severe, and lasted about 2 minutes. I have had it reoccur two more times but not as severely and always with the right eye only. With that, I have also had... Read more.

Daniel Spurgeon

I had some visual flashes beginning two weeks after OHS, and saw a neuro-ophthalmologist. He said it wasn't anything serious and was most likely minor spasms causing aura. He said that if my visual aura appeared instantly, lasted only a second or two, and then disappeared instantly then he would... Read more.

Daniel Spurgeon

I have never experienced double vision nor loss of vision though.

Angelo Varrone

Mark, I had a TIA 2 weeks after my surgery and didn't know it. TIA's are serious and your cardiologist should I I had a TIA 2 weeks after my AVR surgery. It's serious stuff. Your cardiologist needs to know about this IMMEDIATELY. If the double vision, or severe dizziness... Read more.

Suzanne Hunter

I am 5 months postop aortic valve replacement in nz. I have had ongoing eye issues since leaving hosp. Double vision, dark curtain coming over right eye. Light flashes. I was re admitted to hosp and they did all checks, CT, carotid artery check etc and everthing normal . Diagnosed... Read more.

Michael Vargo

About 6 weeks post op AVR I experienced double vision twice. This along with other symptoms led to diagnosis of infective bacterial endocarditis. A large bacterial vegetation was growing on my prosthetic AV. The vegetation flaked emboli into my brain causing strokes and the double vision. Second AVR and IV... Read more.

Upcoming Surgeries

Art Wright

Mitral Regurgitation

June 29, 2026