Hello Anthony. I just left a small response about mechanical valves to you and thought I would write here as well to make sure you get the message. I mentioned ...Read more
Hello Anthony. I just left a small response about mechanical valves to you and thought I would write here as well to make sure you get the message. I mentioned that there is a man in this community who you should see if he might be able to
give you some help as you decide to pick your valve. He is Anthony Copeland-Parker and you will find his Journal, story, recent photos of him running in the
Berlin Marathon Most interesting. I think he would be "the Man" to help you with
information as it was he and his new mechanical valve that ran in that race after having had his surgery not too long ago. Good luck to you. Terrie
David Augustus Anthony, I had surgery on May 20th and I decided to go with a mechanical valve as I was only 49 years ... Read more
David Augustus Anthony, I had surgery on May 20th and I decided to go with a mechanical valve as I was only 49 years old. The fact that tissue valves have a shelf life, I would rather take blood thinners than have another OHS when I'm 65 or older. Once you get the INR figured out, it's not a problem at all. You can read my story to get more insight. Good luck and welcome, David Augustus
M Ratchford Hi Anthony hope this comment dosnt disappear ! but wanted to let you know I had mechanical aortic val ... Read more
M Ratchford Hi Anthony hope this comment dosnt disappear ! but wanted to let you know I had mechanical aortic valve eight weeks ago. I chose a mechanical valve because I live in UK and from prognosis to surgery took a year during which my health went downhill rapidly. I am 66 and I believe undergoing major surgery in say 10/15 years would be too traumatic. my parents lived into their nineties and I fully intend to live a full and healthy life into my nineties at least. Also before getting sick, I attended a gym regularly and lifted weights and i believe with a bovine valve i would wear it out quickly ! As for the blood thinners issue, apart from having to attend my medical centre regularly for checks have not found any problems. i carried on with my usual diet and as long as yo dont suddenly change your diet understand the dose will stabilise in time. only issue i had sine starting warfarin was when i had to take antibiotic because of infection in my suture. I know there has been discussion about TAVR but after chat with my cardiologist, it will be sometime before it is available for everyone in the UK. Also scar tissue from this surgery could prevent that option also. Good luck in whatever decision you make and I am sure there are plus and minus for each type of valve.