Joe Kraft - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Joe Kraftposted a photo

981 days ago

Rose Madura, Miriam Alejos, Patsy Stewart reacted to this

Marie Myers Someone escaping from the hospital? Congratulations!

Susan Lynn One of the best days - ever! Leaving the hospital!

Tracy Fallu Yeah!

Joe Kraftposted a journal

981 days ago

It's been 4 months since I was discharged from the hospital following my mitral valve repair surgery. The surgery seems like a long time ago now. Overall, it ...Read more

It's been 4 months since I was discharged from the hospital following my mitral valve repair surgery. The surgery seems like a long time ago now. Overall, it wasn't a bad experience and I remember thinking that even at the time. Pain was minimal. My anesthesiologist administered an intercostal nerve block that lasted a day and half. No pain when the chest tube was removed, and the most discomfort was from the groin incision. In fact the most uncomfortable procedure was the arterial blood gas draw at the pre-op. As of now I only have a little bit of dull pain like sensation around my right breast where the clamps went in that I suspect is nerve related and is going away slowly.

I'm finally back to my normal weight and full exercise routine. I definitely feel better than just before the surgery, but not quite as good as I felt before my valve failed. My mitral valve failure was sudden and not a slow progression, going from a 0-1 to a 4++ a year later. Recent echo showed some residual regurgitation and I still feel some occasional shortness of breath. Cardiologist is monitoring and has me on 25 MG / day of metoprolol (which doesn't help with the shortness of breath). My RHR is still averaging in the mid to high 80's. Before my valve failure event it was 50-60s.

Adjusting to the 'new normal' but wondering if others have similar experiences?

Hi Joe, it seem that you are doing well. I had a different surgery, but I do still have the shortness ... Read more

Hi Joe, it seem that you are doing well. I had a different surgery, but I do still have the shortness of breath occasionally. I’m not an athlete and don’t follow a strict exercise routine but do walk and do balance exercise as my balance got worse after surgery. Just had a bloodwork result and my doctor tells me everything is normal. Waiting to see Cardiologist in June. But overall feel good. Age can show some regurgitation in our valves I was told. It’s great to be alive and breathing. Taking one day at a time. Wishing you continued good health. God bless you

Deena Z Somewhat similar, Joe. Had a MV repair one year ago. Resting HR is in mid-70s now, was high 60s before. Went off all heart meds after 4 months. Took 8 months to get my resting heart rate down to 70s. And I exercise a lot. Might want to half your beta blocker dose, per cardiologist consult and see what happens. That’s what I did.

It takes one year to fully health. The greatest gain, I was told, is by six months.

... Read more

Susan Lynn Joe - I had the same minimally invasive mv and chordae repairs in 2017. I had numbness/pins and ne... Read more

Susan Lynn Joe - I had the same minimally invasive mv and chordae repairs in 2017. I had numbness/pins and needles sensations from the nerve block for more than a year. I still have occasional SOB and had to return to extended release metoprolol and a small dose of lisinopril two years ago for PACs and elevated bp. I don't like the side effects of metoprolol, but I'm only being given the choice of other meds with similar issues. The good news, is that my valve is functioning well. You're early into your recovery, so stay positive and reach out to your cardiologist if you're concerned. Best of luck to you!