Melinda's Journal

Recently encountered some additional stress in my life!!! Can stress induce afib 3 months post op? Apple Watch identified afib average heart rate was 78 but
my heart rate usually a bit higher than that. What do you think? I called cardiologist he said he is not worried but I am 🤦🏻‍♀️

Hi!!! Happy Saturday. Cold and flu season is here and I have another question. Are we at all compromised because we have repairs and have synthetic rings ? Sorry for crazy question but this is where my mind goes 🤦🏻‍♀️

I saw my cardiologist Monday and he was  happy with my progress!!  I am still very nervous so he suggested I speak to someone about my anxiety. I am!  I definitely have ptsd regarding the whole ordeal even though my surgery is a successful one. 

I no longer have 1st degree block, EKG is excellent, no change in meds and return to work date is after new year. Lots of to look forward to as well - new baby grandson is coming around this time. 

Good morning all. Happy Saturday! I have to ask this question. After surgery, was anyone obsessed with the thoughts that you have foreign things in your body, such as titanium, atrial clips, annuplasty tings, clipped pacing wire?  How did you get past it or any of you even bothered by it?

Hi. I have another question. I am very grateful that my surgeons fixed my mitral and tricuspid valve issue and basically did plastic surgery on the hole in my heart and am indebted to them. I think they’re amazing! But, I’m caught up in the thought that I have two annuloplasty rings in my body among other things. Was anyone fixated on that after surgery? I know that whatever was placed inside of me was there for the repair but I’m just stuck on that.

Of course my mind is running away with crazy thoughts and questions!!! Can you have a low heart rate (39 after surgery) and then it returns to ‘normal’ 75-80 and you are cleared not to have a pace maker. Can it revert back to a low heart rate ?

Hi. I am home a whole three days - my tubes got taken out when I left icu - one week after surgery.  Is it normal for me to still feel winded when I walk - mostly uncomfortable around the tube site. 

I have another question. A friend of mine was at my house and had 4 bypass surgery a few years back. He mentioned to me that he had an out of body experience. This made me even more nuts that I am. Any comments?

I had my pre-op testing on Thursday and thankfully all went well.

I am confused about what you can bring as far as personal items. Pj bottoms, underpants, 😖?

Going for pre-ops on Thursday. Get extremely emotional. Just burst out crying when I am alone. I am having so much trouble holding this all together. 🤦🏻‍♀️

As my surgery gets closer I am concerned with what happens after surgery ! How about if I have afib or fluid in my lungs for an infection. This is all consuming.

I am starting to go into another panic episode. I am told that is normal. I have to get the CTA next Thursday, pre ops the following Thursday, then surgery the next Thursday. I have so many what if’s. God bless all of you people for being so patient with people like me.

It took me a while to formulate this post, and get my thoughts together. I am actually coming to the experts, those who have gone through this journey and asking what your thoughts are.

I found out I had a floppy mitral valve right after the birth of my second child in 1989. I was told it was innocent and not to worry about it but saw a cardiologist every year just to make sure things will not be becoming an issue.

My regurgitation went from mild, to moderate, to moderate to severe, to severe. In May, I saw my cardiologist and and my echo is compared to last year‘s echo and there were no changes and was told. See you in nine months. Before I left, they put a 3?day monitor on me. The results came back and my cardiologist felt that they were inconclusive. There was 0% a fib, but PVCs and PACs were shown, but this was also shown on other Holter monitors prior to this one.

My cardiologist sent me to an electrophysiologist in the group because he felt that there would be a better chance to get an extended Holter monitor if the petition to the insurance company was coming from him. The electrophysiologist gave me three options. He told me I could wear a loop recorder and they would manage me for five years, a 30 day monitor may not show anything because a fib could happen on day zero or day 31 we get an Apple Watch. 

I was a little confused because the whole Amanda report showed 0% a fib and went back to see my cardiologist. My cardiologist told me he was putting me on Eliquis and thought it was time. I went to see Dr. Adams and Dr. Boateng at Mount Sinai. They asked me why I was on Eliquis and my response was I was told I have a fib based on the three day Holter monitor test. They looked at the Holter monitor test and saw 0% a fib and told me that everybody gets PACs and PVCs.
I asked him if I could get off the Eliquis and they told me to call my cardiologist. I did and I am now off Eliquis.

I am asking you all because I feel you are the experts because you all had so many different experiences. If you had the situation, would you feel you have a fib. Please note I have worn my Apple Watch for almost a month and there are no indications of a fib and trust me I test for it all the time. Is there a definitive test that will be done to ensure that I do or don’t have a fit prior to my surgery?

I appreciate your thoughts on this and thank you in advance for your time

I have a strange question - is the metal that is used to suture your ribs metal? How do you know if your body will reject it or you will be allergic to it ?

Hi - I am scared to death - I have been seeing my cardiologist for years and the statement made to me from him was not if you will need mitral valve surgery - the question is when. I am 65 and have severe mitral valve reguritation and of late have a few occurences of aFib He told me he thinks it is time to see a surgeon and referred me to Dr. David Adams at Mount Sinai. I will be calling them back to schedule at 3:30.

I have been holding my own - my cardiologist says its best to take of this before your heart is compromised. He did put me on a blood thinner.

Any thoughts? Any and all comments are sincerely welcome

I went to my 6 month check up with my cardiologist.  Mitral Valve regurgitation is Grade 1 and I am asymptomatic.  Was told my heart is very strong and we will wait another 6 months.  Back in August.  Has anyone been through this waiting situation and what are your thoughts/feelings about it?