Mel Bankoff - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

1956 days ago

I had open heart surgery last sept replacing my aortic root, bicuspid valve, and ascending aorta. I have volumes of gratitude to have found a wonderful surgeon ...Read more

I had open heart surgery last sept replacing my aortic root, bicuspid valve, and ascending aorta. I have volumes of gratitude to have found a wonderful surgeon and to be alive today. I am back running, biking, backpacking and skiing. I am curious about some symptoms that i get occasionally and wonder if others might have some experiences that might be similar. Occasionally, about 6 times in the morning over the past year during some level of activity I needed to sit down because I feel faint. I could feel that my heart was beating normal and my rhythm was normal. Then after 20-30 seconds everything is back to normal and I continue my exercise. Another experience that I have had a few times is feeling some visual distortions, maybe a little funnel vision with a feeling of being a little dissociated. I spoke to my Cardiologist and he said that it sounded like a poly-vagal response and that was concurred by my GP. So, I have been researching the poly vagal response and it seems to align with some of my symptoms. I have never had any of these experiences prior to surgery. Both my sister and brother in law have had open heart surgery and experience similar symptoms. occasionally. I am curious if for some reason during surgery when the chest in opened and the heart is worked on it created a disturbance of the vagal nerve which run through that area to the intestines. I am conjecturing that it becomes more sensitized responding more reactively to both emotional and physiological stimuli. Any insights on this issue would be greatly appreciated. Cheers mel

Marie Myers I am wondering if they checked your carotids? Or have you worn a 24 hour BP monitor that might detect ... Read more

Marie Myers I am wondering if they checked your carotids? Or have you worn a 24 hour BP monitor that might detect drops in your BP? Just a couple of thoughts..Hope you get some relief from these “spells”.

Susan Lynn Mel - I agree with Marie, it could be a drop in BP that's making you feel faint. Are you on any BP ... Read more

Susan Lynn Mel - I agree with Marie, it could be a drop in BP that's making you feel faint. Are you on any BP medication? You may need a change in dosage. The visual disturbances are reported by many heart warriors on this site and although surgeons and cardiologists seem to be dismissive about the impact of the pump, I think there are lingering effects.
I'd be curious to hear from those who had 'off pump' procedures to see if they are experiencing similar issues.
I hope your symptoms subside. Wishing you the best! ❤

Rose Madura My Dad suffered from Vasovagal syncope when certain things trigger it (in his case, nausea). It can ... Read more

Rose Madura My Dad suffered from Vasovagal syncope when certain things trigger it (in his case, nausea). It can be very frightening. I hope you find out the cause and that it is something easy to live with.