Patrick Loy - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Raised Blood Pressure

Journal posted on February 7, 2018

Would be very interested to hear from anyone who had raised (High - ranging from 160-170- over 90-100 ) blood pressure about 3 and a half months after Aortic Valve replacement. ( Bicuspid Valve )
All seemed to be going well, back at work ( slowly ) walking & running intermitttnly - 3 miles and very light weights.
I am on 5 mg of Amlodipine and just 2 days ago started 2.5 mg of Ramipril - Doctor took me of Bisoprolol (2.5 mg ) about 3 weeks now.
My Heart rate is sitting excellent between 50 and 56 in morning and pretty steady all the time.
So bit of a what the hell is happening now !!!
Is this normal for Aortic Valve replacement.
Any body that has had a similar experience and how they managed through the experience would be gratefully appreciated. Pat

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Marie Myers Is your pressure high at home as well as in the doctor's office? I definitely have some high pressures in doctor's offices since my surgery. But at home, they ... Read more

Marie Myers Is your pressure high at home as well as in the doctor's office? I definitely have some high pressures in doctor's offices since my surgery. But at home, they are always below 130 systolic. The funny thing is, before all the open heart/aneurysm drama, I had normal BP in doctors offices. The stress of the whole experience with doctors and lousy news stuck with me. I am hoping to get back to calm, normal doctor visits soon.. Only other thing I would suggest is decreasing your salt intake. That can work for many people.. Good luck!

Sandy Laine I almost posted this same question yesterday - I'm just about four months out - and my blood pressure started being higher 3-4 weeks ago. Can't help with what ... Read more

Sandy Laine I almost posted this same question yesterday - I'm just about four months out - and my blood pressure started being higher 3-4 weeks ago. Can't help with what happens after this point - will be interested to see if others can. I am trying restorative yoga and meditation/relaxation breathing to see if it will come down without increased medication. Good Luck!

Patrick Loy Thanks Marie & Sandy - I am trying hard myself with the exercise and marie I have the white coat sydrome on top of everything else always had ( even the thought ... Read more

Patrick Loy Thanks Marie & Sandy - I am trying hard myself with the exercise and marie I have the white coat sydrome on top of everything else always had ( even the thought of a white can put my BP up ) , and yes I have started to get these numbers at home and sandy working on the breathing myself and the meditation and being mindful where ever possible . But it definitely feels like a physical thing that is going on - hoping the Ramipril kicks in and takes it down a gear. Thanks for your support .

Bonnie Stone-Hope Hello Patrick, Might be the change of medications. One never knows, so best to advise your physician.

Patrick Loy Thanks bonnie - yep thats whats happening - keeping in touch with the medical guys.

Bob Fessler Patrick, about 4 months after surgery (surgery last July) I noticed that I also had high blood pressure that I did not have before AVR surgery. I'm now on ... Read more

Bob Fessler Patrick, about 4 months after surgery (surgery last July) I noticed that I also had high blood pressure that I did not have before AVR surgery. I'm now on 5mg Ramipril and my blood pressure is fine. Maybe it is a side effect for some people after surgery?

Patrick Loy Thank you Bob over this past few days its starting to get in line again - appreciate your reply very helpful.

Here's my newest picture!

January 8, 2018 Like | Phyllis Petersen, Barbara Wood, Rita Savelis and 2 others like this

Think this is a pretty neat scar - Surgeon was Alastair Graham from Belfast.

Jennifer McInerney Great scar. Once it's healed you will barely see it. Your pin up career is about to start. Keep smiling and I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Patrick Loy Thanks Jennifer - its getting better by the day - hope all is going well for you - its a most definetly a journey with a difference - but certainly not complaining .

Barbara Wood Mine is barely visible, but I'm very proud of it! Best recovery wishes!

Patrick Loy Thank you Barbara I am also very proud to have come through this whole experience

Bonnie Stone-Hope That IS a great scar!

Here's my newest picture!

January 2, 2018 Like | Catie B, Rita Savelis, Toni Z and 7 others like this

2 brothers my mother Margaret at 78 & bernie sean's wife all very supportive at week 9 after surgery

Barbara Wood That's a wonderful looking family...your brother is a George Clooney look alike!

Patrick Loy Hi Barbara - thanks for the nice comment , will pass on to martin the George Clooney Comment - he is Based in New York, and he came over to check in on me - ... Read more

Patrick Loy Hi Barbara - thanks for the nice comment , will pass on to martin the George Clooney Comment - he is Based in New York, and he came over to check in on me - we are heading to New York in May - My Wife Ruth is a Stephen King Fanatic - so we are heading for Maine - to check out a few locations - I see from your story you are from New Hampshire. Hope all is well with you.

8 weeks and going strong - I think ??

Journal posted on December 17, 2017

Hi, Name is pat from North Ireland - 8 weeks out of surgery yesterday and going well, still a little nervous that something could go wrong, but hanging in there, and keeping positive, getting in the walks, eating well, and doing some cooking, and driving - probably too much.
Looking forward to being a part of the community, and looking out for assurances probably that all is going as expected. Its a big deal .

Like | Bonnie Stone-Hope likes this

Civita Fahey Hi Patrick.. welcome to the site.. it takes a while to get back to "normal" whatever that may be.. I am about 8 months out myself feeling pretty good.. back ... Read more

Civita Fahey Hi Patrick.. welcome to the site.. it takes a while to get back to "normal" whatever that may be.. I am about 8 months out myself feeling pretty good.. back to normal activities, still get a bit tired when I over do.. 8 weeks is early you have some energy but you will know for sure if you've done too much.. I went back to full time office work at 10 weeks after working at home half time at about 6 weeks.. this is a great community of heart brothers and sisters and you will get answers to most any questions.. best

Patrick Loy Thanks Civita for your message much appreciated - at times it can knock the stuffing out of you - still feeling a little tender and sore around the chest area ... Read more

Patrick Loy Thanks Civita for your message much appreciated - at times it can knock the stuffing out of you - still feeling a little tender and sore around the chest area after driving for a few hours, trying to go easy on myself and not expect too much.

Catie B Yes, it is a big deal. Welcome, Patrick! Soreness at your stage is to be expected, as is fatigue, and more if you overdo. It's great that you're getting out ... Read more

Catie B Yes, it is a big deal. Welcome, Patrick! Soreness at your stage is to be expected, as is fatigue, and more if you overdo. It's great that you're getting out and that you have done well recovering! Hope being here will be an encouragement. :)

Patrick Loy Catie thank you, its good to hear someone coming back, because you don't know what to expect, so again thankyou.

Marie Myers I am about 9 months into my recovery. For a few months, I was worried that I felt too good. Was a little worried that something would happen. Luckily, I have ... Read more

Marie Myers I am about 9 months into my recovery. For a few months, I was worried that I felt too good. Was a little worried that something would happen. Luckily, I have had no complications, and was able to go back to work part time at 8 weeks. I am really glad that I can remain part time, cuz having such a big surgery kind of rearranges your priorities. It has been nice having more time off, not rushing from one thing to another. I think this surgery can take a little psychological toll on us, also. But I am happy to say I feel "back to normal" at this point. Wishing you more uneventful recovery!

Patrick Loy Thanks, Marie - looking forward to getting back to work after Christmas, I am in construction, so will have to take that as it comes. So far no complications ... Read more

Patrick Loy Thanks, Marie - looking forward to getting back to work after Christmas, I am in construction, so will have to take that as it comes. So far no complications very happy about that, both myself and Ruth are really looking forward to Christmas. I think the psychological is definitely in the background most of the time for me and sometimes pops very much in to the foreground. I am very fortunate to have a very strong wife who recognizes this in me, and we both then can observe and let it ride on through! Thanks for the message Marie means alot.

Bonnie Stone-Hope Hello Pat, Having my surgery in a few days. Expect that I will then be able to provide more assurance to other members of the community. Sounds like you ... Read more

Bonnie Stone-Hope Hello Pat, Having my surgery in a few days. Expect that I will then be able to provide more assurance to other members of the community. Sounds like you are doing well, for just 8 weeks after surgery!

Phyllis Petersen You've come to the right place for a community to help you through your recovery. In some ways, the speed with which everything went for you can be a bit better ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen You've come to the right place for a community to help you through your recovery. In some ways, the speed with which everything went for you can be a bit better than the extra anxiety waiting, waiting, waiting for everything, like tests and surgery. Soreness, fatigue without warning, having to rest after every little task ... yep, all part of the process. You will get past these things and you'll have more energy than before. All the best for continued healing.

Rose Madura I'm a little over 6 months about and feel great. I did have some complications but the journey was worth it. Sounds like you are doing well. It is a big ... Read more

Rose Madura I'm a little over 6 months about and feel great. I did have some complications but the journey was worth it. Sounds like you are doing well. It is a big deal and we all have experienced the worry that something will go wrong. If it does, remember that the doctors deal with this all the time and they know what to do. Hopefully you won't have any problems. Best wishes.