Claire's Journal

Hi All, about 3 weeks post-op, I started to feel like my head felt heavy sometimes. I’d been hearing a rushing sound in my ears, mostly the left, and my cardiologist assured me this was normal post-op because it was a sign of the pericardium being cut and then it would go away once healed. At my 6 week appt with my cardiologist, I told her again that my head had this heavy feeling and she checked my carotid artery and diagnosed a possible carotid bruit, for which I’ll have an ultrasound and consult next week. Pre-op, I had no blockages or stenosis or cholesterol issues, so she thinks something may have kinked it, possibly, during the operation for the mitral valve repair. Has anyone here had this happen? What was your experience? Is this a reasonably easy fix or am I looking at something intense? Thanks all, for your input!

Another question from this newbie: because of covid, it’s not safe to do my cardiac rehab at our local hospital. I’ve been doing the PT strengthening exercises for lower and upper body and also walking about 50 min twice a day. Does anyone know of a reputable online cardiac rehab program I can follow? Thanks!

Just curious—what’s the average time most of you spent on Coumadin post-op? Any ideas on how to eat more green veg without messing up your INR? I heard that you can but need to have a proper and same amount each day but I don’t know what that is. Any suggestions? And, for those who had very active lifestyles before, how long was it post-sternum healing that you could run/bike/etc again? Thank you!!