Rachel Stokes - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

4 days ago

Just a curiosity question - we will see the doc in less that a week. My son had a Ross procedure 2 1/2 weeks ago approx. And since then his heart is beating ...Read more

Just a curiosity question - we will see the doc in less that a week. My son had a Ross procedure 2 1/2 weeks ago approx. And since then his heart is beating much faster that usual. He did ask the surgeon about it the day after and he said it was normal.... but I guess I assumed it would have settled by now. Not to say I know exactly what it was right after the surgery vs now... but even when you put your hand on his chest 1)you can feel clearly his heartbeat - I know his sternum is still healing I think that might be why you feel it so clearly 2) it's quite fast.

Scott Mills I’m much older than your son (I’m 53) and I’m 3.5 months post Ross. My resting HR is a bit high ... Read more

Scott Mills I’m much older than your son (I’m 53) and I’m 3.5 months post Ross. My resting HR is a bit higher, even while on beta blockers (about 5-10 beats faster), and I can for sure feel my heart beat more, which I think is a byproduct of the surgery as well?

J Alexander Lassally Many ross patients express this. I too - as a Mitral Valve repair patient had a fast heart for many m ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally Many ross patients express this. I too - as a Mitral Valve repair patient had a fast heart for many months and many of us do.

2.5 weeks is nothing. Think months not weeks for durable recovery aspects.

The long acting metoprolol is the way to go as it smooths out the ups and downs of the short acting one and this keeps the pulse consistently lower -

John Cook I had my Ross 12 weeks ago.

My heart beat way faster than it had been pre-surgery for the first month and that was while on 50mg of carvedilol (beta blocker) twice a day.

After the 5th week, it started slowing, but It wasn't until the 8th week that it dropped all the way down to a more normal rate for me.
... Read more

Richard Munson My surgeon said it perfectly after my surgery , used a george costanza clip. “ your heart is angry ... Read more

Richard Munson My surgeon said it perfectly after my surgery , used a george costanza clip. “ your heart is angry my friend”

Rachel Stokes My son is only 13 - thanks for the heads up everyone, I do get that the heart would be a bit unhappy ... Read more

Rachel Stokes My son is only 13 - thanks for the heads up everyone, I do get that the heart would be a bit unhappy with the big changes. I appreciate all that has been shared, at least it gives us a bit of an idea of what we are looking at. I was really unaware what we might be looking at other than the sternum healing. The cardiologist said he could be playing soccer again 6-8 weeks post the surgery, maybe that is why I was thinking things would settle pretty quick. I do wonder what his heart rate and blood pressure would be if he wasn't on medication. We will learn as we go.

Rachel Stokes Richard Munson - loved your surgeon's comment (made me laugh)

J Alexander Lassally Rachel - many cardiologists misrepresent about recovery time. They have no clue... it is a huge knowl ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally Rachel - many cardiologists misrepresent about recovery time. They have no clue... it is a huge knowledge gap between the world of surgery and the world of care post surgery.

Kimberly Eisenhut Ha Richard! Good one! I also have seen so many say the surgeons say much less time for healing than i ... Read more

Kimberly Eisenhut Ha Richard! Good one! I also have seen so many say the surgeons say much less time for healing than it is in reality. As long as it heals and keeps on going, I am o.k. with it taking time :)

susan harris Rachel, let me know if anything i can help with-i’m also a mom here. my son had OHS at 5 and just g ... Read more

susan harris Rachel, let me know if anything i can help with-i’m also a mom here. my son had OHS at 5 and just got aortic tissue valve at 27. he wanted ross but not possible. glad to help any way possible.