Marcia's Journal

Amy Dorsey  Wow. That's really low. 60s is pretty good. I'm very fit and mine used to be in the high 40s and now it's in the 90s and 100s! I'm 6 weeks post op from MV repair. They say it's going to take months and months for it to come back down. That's amazing that yours is so low so quickly. Are you on a beta blocker? I'm no doctor so I wouldn't know what to tell you but 60s is good as a fitness person I can tell you that. 30s and 40s is really low unless you are extremely athletic.... And even then that's really low! I'm interested in hearing what your Cardiologist says about those lower levels. 💗💗💗

Wanda Mroz  That is low. If you are on a beta blocker you may need that adjusted or not take it. If your HR down while asleep? Curious to hear what's causing it as well.

Rita Savelis  I had a very low heart rate after surgery, and ended up with a pacemaker 2 wks after surgery to get my heart at a more normal rate.
I'm really sorry about your situation and hopefully your cardiologist will have some answers.
The time after surgery can be very difficult as we deal with various "side effects"...

Sophia Ridley  Hi Marcia, I had a MV repair. My heartbeat was up/down, ranging from 80, 80, then dropping to 40 for some beats and then back up to 80s. I had an ECG to check, I had atrial (supra ventricular) ectopics which produced a really quiet beat so it was hard to detect apart from ECG. It did freak me out until I found out what it was. They have minimised now (9mth post) but I do get them if tired, can add to the exhaustion. I'm still on beta blockers and rivaroxaban as suffer from intermittent AFib and ventricular ectopics. Do get it checked out. Rita's right, the 'side effects' of OHS can be very trying, I just have to remind myself where I would be without it...

Marcia Enns  Hi Amy, Wanda, and Rita,
Thank you so much for writing back. I was on a beta blocker initially, but that was stopped about six weeks ago. Rita, do you still have to have a pacemaker? Is that something that is permanent?
How did you get along with it while you had it. I go to the cardiologist on Thursday and will let you all know what happens. Meantime take care of yourselves and keep feeling better, and those wishes for everyone on this site too.
Marcia

Rita Savelis  Marcia, my pacemaker is permanent. (Which doesn't mean you'll need one). My pacemaker doesn't bother me, except when I look in the mirror and see the bulge under my skin where it's located. That's weird.

I'm hoping your Thursday appt goes well, and you will get simple easy answers to your heart rate problem.
Take care.

Marcia Enns  Thank you all for the good information . Thanks to all of you I have calmed down and am ready to hear what the cardiologist says tomorrow. I will definitely let you know, and I am so grateful for your support.
Love and best wishes, Marcia

Marcia Enns  Hi Sophia, Rita, Wanda, Amy and Junita,
Well the results of the Zio patch showed that my heart rate had periods of being in the forties, or less, and one percent of the time moderate AFib happening while I was asleep. I pointed out that I had been doing lots of mediating and breathing exercises and was told to stop.
My cardiologist is referring me to an arrythmia specialist at Stanford and suggesting a pacemaker might be necessary.
Both my cardiologist and surgeon thought I should be better at three months. I feel like I improve each week, and I think everyone is different.
But anyway, this to Rita, is the pacemaker operation difficult to endure? I was brave during the OHS, but now feel that all my bravery has evaporated. Thanks a lot for reading this rant, I still feel better for sharing this with you. Thinking of you all, Marcia

Rita Savelis  I feel for you Marcia and am sorry you have to go through more.
The pacemaker operation is simpler than OHS. Mine was done under local anasthetic and took about an hour.
But it was very hard (psychologically) for me to have another unexpected operation so soon after OHS. I knew nothing about pacemakers... (I still don't, actually).
There was some pain for a few days where the pacemaker was inserted and I had to wear a tight bandage wrapped around that area for a few days so that the pacemaker would stay under the skin and not be pushed up by my body as a foreign object. For about a month I could not lift my arm completely up into the air although I certainly could use it.
Now, I don't feel it or think about it, but it's a weird bulge under my skin. (You can see a photo in my journal). I see the rhythmologist once a year. My pacemaker is a rather large one - because the model lasts longer (14 years). The battery part will have to be replaced after that time, but from what I understand the wires (leads) into the heart stay and are reattached to the new battery part.

I felt mad at my cardiologist for not "warning" me that a pacemaker was a possibility after surgery. He assured me that there was nothing in my previous exams that showed that I might need one. I do now know that our heart's natural pacemaker (which is not visible) can be disturbed by surgery. I also read that work on the mitral valve makes natural pacemaker damage a slightly bigger possibility. I had 2 valves replaced which meant more disturbance in this area.

I hear you Marcia, and you can rant all you want. It's important to express everything and my pacemaker was a shock to me. At the time, I got very little response about pacemakers on this site, and I felt very alone and confused.

Marcia Enns  Hi Rita,
You understand! That is exactly how I have been feeling. it helps me to not feel alone, and now I know more what to expect. I am sorry that you had to go through it. I will keep in touch. Thank you for taking the trouble to share all this with me.
Best wishes always, Marcia

Marcia Enns  Thank you everyone, I could not have made it without all of you behind me. The A fib seems to have stopped, and I think I am being released tomorrow. I have to say that my life feels changed in so many ways beyond the repair. I feel so much more connected to everything.I am going to follow you all and keep up good thoughts and prayers for all you heart brothers and sisters.

Richard Puckett  I'll be in your place in a little less than two weeks. Knowing that the surgery, even though it is major, is safe, and you should do well, helps a lot. We can thank God that we live in a time where this is the case! Hang in there, we'll all make it through.

Cheryl Shute Walter  I know it's hard not to be scared. Just keep in mind that these surgeries are done so regularly now. You will hurt at first, but pain meds take care of that. I had psyched myself out thinking the pain would be so bad, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Sleep a lot and let your body heal. It will! Day by day you will get better and stronger. I had my surgery 6 months ago now and I'm back in the saddle again. You WILL get through this! :D

Emily Rowley  Let your mind think of something that gives you peace, it might be a beautiful place. While having faith in God and your Surgical team, your heart will be safe in their hands. We will be praying for you 💖

Sara Hedberg  Yes, it is scarey, but I figured dwelling in fear wouldn't do me any service. Much better to stay positive. And as my husband said before my sutgery, it's like you are getting on a plane, strapping yourself in, and trusting the pilot (surgeon) to get you to your destination (post-surgery) safely. Steady on!

Marcia Enns  Thank you everyone, what you wrote is just what I needed to hear, and it has made me feel better now. I will take your words with me in my heart. I'll let you know how it goes. I am grateful for all of you, and send you all my best wishes and prayers too.

Wanda Mroz  Breathe... stay positive and think of something other than the surgery. I was terrified, yes. But once i got to the hospital, it was almost trance like and surreal. As I got wheeled up to the OR, I was scared but at the same time at peace with what was about to happen. I remember being in the elevator up to the OR, but not much after that. Then I woke up in the ICU many hours later. It will all be fine... not easy, but you will get through it because we are all stronger than we believe we are. Blessings for a successful surgery and recovery. Hugs.