Andrew Dial I had an ablation for my Wolf Parkinson White syndrome.
Marie Myers My boss had a successful ablation for SVT.
Rose Madura I had a successful ablation for SVT in 2007 and it fixed the problem.
Klara Čičić Good question for cardiologist- electrophysiologist! I had ablation done during my surgery and am yet ... Read more
Klara Čičić Good question for cardiologist- electrophysiologist! I had ablation done during my surgery and am yet to see how successful it is. So far no AFib :)
Greg Lewis If it is for Afib, try cardioversion first, if you haven't. That fixed my afib. It's much, much easi ... Read more
Greg Lewis If it is for Afib, try cardioversion first, if you haven't. That fixed my afib. It's much, much easier.
Robert Miller I am curious about this as well. During my first surgery they did the maze procedure. It resulted in ... Read more
Robert Miller I am curious about this as well. During my first surgery they did the maze procedure. It resulted in a tremendous improvement. However, even after the second surgery I still have some AFib. The surgeon said that this should be monitored and that I might possibly need ablation. Supposedly it's a pretty quick procedure, some 1.5 hours and no opening the chest or anything like that. @Greg Lewis, I heard that many people get AFib again after cardioversion. For how long did you not have AFib anymore so far? Are you on additional medication?
Greg Lewis I had cardiversion, and that was it. No more afib since Sept. 9 2021. They told me it worked well, b ... Read more
Greg Lewis I had cardiversion, and that was it. No more afib since Sept. 9 2021. They told me it worked well, because afib only began after surgery. Cardioversion is completely noninvasive, and takes minutes. I think, like anything else, it takes someone good at it for a good result. My cardiologist did the cardioversion.
Robert Miller @Greg Lewis, thanks for the info. I had AFib before the surgeries so maybe I am not a candidate but I ... Read more
Robert Miller @Greg Lewis, thanks for the info. I had AFib before the surgeries so maybe I am not a candidate but I will definitely discuss this before going the ablation route. But it's just 3 months after my second surgery so for now neither has become an urgent topic yet.
Greg Lewis They are treating your afib with meds? Like dijoxin, or Amiodorone or something?
Robert Miller @Greg Lewis, is that a question for me? If so, for my first surgery a year ago they did the maze proc ... Read more
Robert Miller @Greg Lewis, is that a question for me? If so, for my first surgery a year ago they did the maze procedure. That helped a lot but didn't get rid of my AFib completely. My cardiologist had me on blood thinner (Xeralto). He was thinking of possibly continuing this after the second surgery but hasn't asked me yet to do so. My surgeon kind of questioned why he would do this because I had my appendage removed during the first surgery (the appendage is where you are most likely to build blood clots if you have AFib). But at this stage (3 months after my second surgery) they are just observing it and see if there is any improvement.
Greg Lewis Sorry, Robert, I was just wondering if they were using a beta blocker to help stop the afib. I asked, ... Read more
Greg Lewis Sorry, Robert, I was just wondering if they were using a beta blocker to help stop the afib. I asked, because usually, I believe, that's what they do first, then cardioversion, then ablasion. For me, they tried meds for 2 months, then cardioversion.
Robert Miller @Greg, thank you for that information. That's good information for when I talk to my cardiologist.
Ablation process and surgery on 02232023, by Dr. Charles Fuenzalida to control Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. Conducted at Medical Hospital and Center ...Read more
Ablation process and surgery on 02232023, by Dr. Charles Fuenzalida to control Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. Conducted at Medical Hospital and Center of Aurora, CO. Absolutely one of the best decisions I have made in my life. FEEL GREAT, and the surgeon and hospital were, flat out, AWESOME.
Dr. Jim Savard
Ana Brusso Well Dr. Savard, congratulations and continued good health and recovery. God bless you 🙏❤️
After much prodding from my WONDERFUL wife, I went to my cardiologist to discuss the very slight tightness in my chest. RESULT - Had a 95% blockage in the Left ...Read more
After much prodding from my WONDERFUL wife, I went to my cardiologist to discuss the very slight tightness in my chest. RESULT - Had a 95% blockage in the Left Descending Anterior (LDA) artery. Same day service on inserting a stent, and the RESULT - I feel ABSOLUTELY GREAT! THANK YOU KAREN (my WONDERFUL wife)!
God Bless,
Jim Savard
About a year after mitral valve replacement, I am having tightness in my chest when I do heavy exercise. Also, seem to be getting dehydrated more quickly that ...Read more
About a year after mitral valve replacement, I am having tightness in my chest when I do heavy exercise. Also, seem to be getting dehydrated more quickly that results is low blood pressure. Thank you.
Marie Myers I would think your cardiologist would want to rule out CAD with a stress test or cardiac cath. Have y ... Read more
Marie Myers I would think your cardiologist would want to rule out CAD with a stress test or cardiac cath. Have you ruled out reflux? That can mimic chest pain...
Dr. Jim Savard Marie, THANK YOU for your message.Reflux was my first hypothesis . I am scheduled for an EKG on 7 Aug ... Read more
Dr. Jim Savard Marie, THANK YOU for your message.Reflux was my first hypothesis . I am scheduled for an EKG on 7 August. Regular cardiogram is absolutely perfect. Again, THANK YOU!
Marie Myers No problem. Maybe you should consider a 2 week trial of OTC products such as Nexium (or equivalent) ... Read more
Marie Myers No problem. Maybe you should consider a 2 week trial of OTC products such as Nexium (or equivalent) also. Hope you get a definitive answer soon!
Dr. Jim Savard Will try after the results from my EKG. Again, Thank you.
Dr. Jim Savard Hi Marie, Stress Echo Cardiogram found a 95% blockage in the Left Anterior Descending (LDA) artery -- ... Read more
Dr. Jim Savard Hi Marie, Stress Echo Cardiogram found a 95% blockage in the Left Anterior Descending (LDA) artery --- put in a new piece of pipe (stent) and ALL is GREAT! GOD Bless
Do K-2 vitamins reduce calcification in heart valves?
Sophia Ridley I’ve read it does, not sure if medically proven. I would love to know if it can reverse calcificat ... Read more
Sophia Ridley I’ve read it does, not sure if medically proven. I would love to know if it can reverse calcification. Didn’t eat my greens until I realised, post op, the benefits of K, now can’t get enough (I’m on aspirin). I have a calcified valve, they cleaned what they could during my repair. My issue is my body produces a lot of calcium generally... no fillings, and great bone mass but doesn’t always go to the right areas.
I wonder if living in a hard water area isn’t good either.
I would love to know a good source of K2 - I’ve never found organic natto - which is readily available. I was taking drops but my heart rhythm was going a little wobbly so stopped.
Marie Myers My cardiologist recommends both Vitamin D and K2. Food sources are best, but I take !000 u D3 and 8 ... Read more
Marie Myers My cardiologist recommends both Vitamin D and K2. Food sources are best, but I take !000 u D3 and 80 mcg K2 daily. Hoping it will help my bones as well.
kirshbaum marilynne Thank you Sophia and Marie. I have been doing lots of reading about K2, but have not seen endorsemen ... Read more
kirshbaum marilynne Thank you Sophia and Marie. I have been doing lots of reading about K2, but have not seen endorsements from medical docs. Thanks for posting the dosage too.
Barbara Adams I have been reading about Vitamin K2. I am 2 years post op aortic valve replacement. I take calcium s ... Read more
Barbara Adams I have been reading about Vitamin K2. I am 2 years post op aortic valve replacement. I take calcium supplements for osteoporosis and remain concerned about the possible relationship between calcium supplements and calcified valves. My physician says no relationship between the two. My cardiologist says there are conflicting studies. I am wondering whether I should be taking K2. Doing well, by the way!
Played 18 holes of golf on a hilly course in Colorado and I drank 70 ounces of water during the round ---- ABSOLUTELY NO LIGHT-HEADEDNESS.
So simple and ...Read more
Played 18 holes of golf on a hilly course in Colorado and I drank 70 ounces of water during the round ---- ABSOLUTELY NO LIGHT-HEADEDNESS.
So simple and so obvious, yet did not initially think to accomplish this task - My Bad!
After 4.5 months post-op mitral valve replacement surgery, minor concern ... after fairly strenuous exercise, I seem to be getting a bit light-headed. Is that ...Read more
After 4.5 months post-op mitral valve replacement surgery, minor concern ... after fairly strenuous exercise, I seem to be getting a bit light-headed. Is that normal?
Steve Farthing Obviously I am not an expert, but will guess it is not all that unusual. However, given the horrible ... Read more
Steve Farthing Obviously I am not an expert, but will guess it is not all that unusual. However, given the horrible air quality around Littleton lately, that could also be a factor. You can monitor it at airnow.gov. Some days recently have degraded into the 'unhealthy' red category where 'Everyone may begin to experience health effects...' I avoid doing much on those days. All of Littleton, Denver, etc is in the yellow moderate category right now due to ozone, not smoke.
Is it normal, two months after mitral valve replacement surgery, to experience a great deal of expurgation of phlegm?
Michael Meyer Jim:
I did not have that experience after mitral valve repair surgery.
Marie Myers I was coughing up gunk for 5-6 weeks after AVR. Did not feel like my lungs were fully expanded till 8 ... Read more
Marie Myers I was coughing up gunk for 5-6 weeks after AVR. Did not feel like my lungs were fully expanded till 8 weeks post op.
Lilly Black I had that happen after my first surgery. 3 weeks of expurgation with cough! After my second surgery ... Read more
Lilly Black I had that happen after my first surgery. 3 weeks of expurgation with cough! After my second surgery, nothing at all. Talk to your doctor, because I am sorry I did not, and it was because my doctor was not in close proximity. I managed to overcome it, but in hind site, I would have gone to my doctor to do get some intervention. Good luck!
Barbara Wood I had mitral valve repair 8 weeks ago. I had a cough with lots of mucus early on- so bad it woke me u ... Read more
Barbara Wood I had mitral valve repair 8 weeks ago. I had a cough with lots of mucus early on- so bad it woke me up at night. My pcp thought it was due to fluid retention & I was prescribed lasix for a week. It went away very quickly along with about 4-5 lbs of excess fluid.
Lilly Black Barbara, that was the difference between my first and second surgery. My second surgery, doctors wer ... Read more
Lilly Black Barbara, that was the difference between my first and second surgery. My second surgery, doctors were really concerned about fluid retention, used Lasix and had lung xrays to ensure the water retention was absorbing in my body. They tried to remove the fluid surrounding my lung but was not successful. However, I had no phlegm and it took about 5 weeks for the fluid to dissipate on its own. Needless to say, although second surgery was 12 hrs , it was a much better experience!
Laura Jacobs I have had no phlegm at all, no coughing, or any issues with fluid retention.
Adam,
Do you have any research on what causes calcification of mitral valves?
Thank you,
Jim Savard
jsavard@1965.usna.com
Catie B Hi Jim. Hopefully, Adam will chime in. But in the meanwhile, here's a post he uploaded last fall. My ... Read more
Catie B Hi Jim. Hopefully, Adam will chime in. But in the meanwhile, here's a post he uploaded last fall. My understanding has been that they haven't yet figured out everything that may contribute to valves calcifying.
I’ll never forget when my cardiologist said to me, “Adam, The calcium on your valve is causing serious problems. Your valve is stenotic. You need a new valv
Looking forward to this operation so I can get back to working out and watching our grandsons River (3), Beau (2), and our granddaughter Shiloh (1) grow into ...Read more
Looking forward to this operation so I can get back to working out and watching our grandsons River (3), Beau (2), and our granddaughter Shiloh (1) grow into Christ-loving adults.
Adam Pick Love your attitude Jim. What could be better than getting past this operation to spend time with your ... Read more
Adam Pick Love your attitude Jim. What could be better than getting past this operation to spend time with your grand kids and your family. Thanks for sharing!
@Greg Lewis, I heard that many people get AFib again after cardioversion. For how long did you not have AFib anymore so far? Are you on additional medication?