Does somebody have good info on chances of getting valve infection? I was told that when I go to dentist I ought to have antibiotics. What about normal life? ...Read more
Does somebody have good info on chances of getting valve infection? I was told that when I go to dentist I ought to have antibiotics. What about normal life? Things like flossing your teeth, toothbrushing. Can a bit of blood there be a problem? Thanks.
Lilly Black Michael, I have had 2 open heart surgeries. I take antibiotics when I get my teeth cleaned, when I ha ... Read more
Lilly Black Michael, I have had 2 open heart surgeries. I take antibiotics when I get my teeth cleaned, when I had cataract surgery, when I had a colonoscopy, and of course, when I had a valve replacement. Anytime I had a procedure that may or may not cause bleeding, I request antibiotics. I have had cuts on my hands that bled, scratches on my legs that caused bleeding, and I do NOT take antibiotics, however I do use a little triple antibiotic Neosporin on cuts etc. I take no medication whatsoever on a daily basis except for baby aspirin. Best to ask your primary care physician because we are all different. I personally have never had any type of life threatening infections either....thank goodness! Hope this is helpful. :o)
Christine Oliva Michael most dentists will prescribe you antibiotics if you have a heart condition from a cleaning to ... Read more
Christine Oliva Michael most dentists will prescribe you antibiotics if you have a heart condition from a cleaning to a procedure. Ask your dentist prior to your appointment since they usually want you to take them hours before. Also, for any medical procedure or medical visit let them know even though in an emergency they will see your nice zipper and know,but why have any delay in them treating you quickly and adequately.
Well, time helps.
Went back to work 2.5 weeks ago. Very busy schedule but helps as time goes faster.
Pain is almost gone, mostly pressure in chest. ...Read more
Well, time helps.
Went back to work 2.5 weeks ago. Very busy schedule but helps as time goes faster.
Pain is almost gone, mostly pressure in chest. Did not have to take Tylenol for at least 3 weeks. I have been going to gym for 2.5 weeks. I have tried running but found that it is a bit too much jolt for the chest. Thus stationary bike is a better option for now.
Heart rate went down a bit ( still not my usual 64 ). But with metoprolol stays in 80s. This is encouraging as it was 100 four weeks ago.
Also, found that what I thought was 'no symptoms' more than likely were symptoms. Going up the stairs even now seems easier.
Ed Miskovic Thanks for sharing. Your progress encourages me. While I'm waiting for surgery the doctor asked me to ... Read more
Ed Miskovic Thanks for sharing. Your progress encourages me. While I'm waiting for surgery the doctor asked me to "please stop exercising whenever you notice any symptoms." This translates into my weight staying stable, but my body fat percentage increasing 2-3% in the last two weeks. I feel like I'm in a reverse bell curve, so thanks again for sharing about your progress post-op. I suspect that you feeling good about your progress. Way to go!
Hello,
I was reading quite a few reviews that people ran 4 miles or 5k about 6 months after surgery. This is a question to people who resumed running after ...Read more
Hello,
I was reading quite a few reviews that people ran 4 miles or 5k about 6 months after surgery. This is a question to people who resumed running after surgery. How soon you started to do it? What was your system at the beginning? Thanks in advance.
Eddie Patton I did as soon as my surgeon released me, maybe 6 weeks. Did slow intervals to start used a heart rat ... Read more
Eddie Patton I did as soon as my surgeon released me, maybe 6 weeks. Did slow intervals to start used a heart rate monitor to set the intervals.
W. Carter I would say 3-4 mo. start out jogging slow (10-11 min. mile or so) and rest when you feel tired. Buil ... Read more
W. Carter I would say 3-4 mo. start out jogging slow (10-11 min. mile or so) and rest when you feel tired. Build your endurance up slow and don't over do it.
I am almost 6 weeks out from a partial sternotomy and the nurse at cardiac rehab said I could start n ... Read more
I am almost 6 weeks out from a partial sternotomy and the nurse at cardiac rehab said I could start now, but she said to monitor my heart rate and slowly build up. Of course, I am not much of a runner so that probably won't happen, but that is what she told me. :)
Emily Rowley As soon as I was allowed to walk, I started building my pace up and up further, longer then longer, u ... Read more
Emily Rowley As soon as I was allowed to walk, I started building my pace up and up further, longer then longer, up hills and down hills-although I did over do it and collapsed several times along the way therefore I gave it a break for awhile and focused on recovering slowly but steadily in the next coming months instead of spending all my mind power on getting back to running. It took 12 months to run in cross country marathons which I came first. I still felt out of condition and not fully recovered. My repair was successful however I had mild leakage of my Mitral Valve plus my Surgeon recently has found more holes so maybe that contributed.
Michael Shaughnessy Started running 4 weeks out from AVR and aneurysm repair. Full sternotomy. Ran my first 5 K 8 months ... Read more
Michael Shaughnessy Started running 4 weeks out from AVR and aneurysm repair. Full sternotomy. Ran my first 5 K 8 months out and finished top ten overall at age 44. Ran first half marathon 1.5 years out. In four years since surgery, have competed in a half dozen half marathons, an MS 100 bike race, almost a dozen Olympic triathlons, and numerous 5 &10 Ks. Races keep me motivated. I hadn't run a competitive race in 20 years before my surgery. I now run, bike, or swim almost every day. Glad to be more than alive, I'm living. Good luck.
I went to cardiologist today and he referred me to Cardiac Rehab. Starting one tomorrow. Really looking forward. I was always at the gym before surgery and ...Read more
I went to cardiologist today and he referred me to Cardiac Rehab. Starting one tomorrow. Really looking forward. I was always at the gym before surgery and miss this part of my life. I hope they will help me out to get back on track.
Returning back to work next Monday. While I still feel pain in my chest bone and at the surgery spot it is not as bad as before. I stopped using Tylenol last week. Now the evenings are more of a challenge as Tylenol was helping me out. But I remember long time ago one of the doctors told me that pain gives your brain a signal to heal the body. I hope it is true statement :).
My heart rate went down a bit. Now it is around 95-100 ( it was above 100-107 first few weeks ). And I take metoprolol. My cardiologist told me today that during the surgery they had to cut a few nerves around to get to the spot they needed to repair. Thus the heart rate can be up. He said it would take time for the nerves to grow back ( unfortunately takes long time :) ). Still, once it happens ( can take up to a year ), I should be able to go back to my normal 60-70 HR. In a meantime I will need to take more metoprolol ( 50 mg twice a day ) to keep my heart rate lower. Nevertheless, it should not preclude me from doing anything.
Liz Burroughs I hope you enjoy your cardiac rehab! I'm just about half way through mine & I really look forward to ... Read more
Liz Burroughs I hope you enjoy your cardiac rehab! I'm just about half way through mine & I really look forward to it (even though it's at 7:00 AM)! Good luck with going back to work! I was really worried about returning to work. It was rough at first but I'm doing pretty good now. I used to take one pain pill or a Tylenol PM at night but I've finally adjusted to sleeping without it. Good luck & best wishes!!
Emily Rowley Hi Michael,
Cardiac Rehab sounds like a great idea and will definitely help your recovery especially ... Read more
Emily Rowley Hi Michael,
Cardiac Rehab sounds like a great idea and will definitely help your recovery especially trying to get back to the gym.
Oh no, I didn't know they grew back. I know a guy who had Open-Heart Surgery & they cut a nerve on or near the Spine so now he is paralysed in a wheelchair.
Great attitude, I'm sure your recovery will go well-you're off to a good start 😊
It has been two weeks.
I stopped using Vicodin a week ago. Cut down Tylenol to only once a day, but so far I can not go through the evening without it. ...Read more
It has been two weeks.
I stopped using Vicodin a week ago. Cut down Tylenol to only once a day, but so far I can not go through the evening without it. I feel better in the morning and during the day, but evening is a challenge.
I have been walking since day 2. The first walk was probably 20 steps :). I covered 1 mile today.
Pain does not go away. Also, that causes my heart rate to go up. When I was on Vicodin it was in mid 80s, now it is about 100. It goes down a bit after I take Tylenol. I checked with the doctor. He said it was normal response to the shock the surgery brought on my body. He said it would go away over time. I hope so :).
Sounds like you are making progress. Hope your HR evens out soon!
Emily Rowley I was placed on beta blockers to bring my high heart rate down. Pain will eventually lesson. Mine sai ... Read more
Emily Rowley I was placed on beta blockers to bring my high heart rate down. Pain will eventually lesson. Mine said the same, Open-Heart Surgery is a big shock to the body and needs time to recovery.
Meredith Bray What pain are you having? My physical therapist gave me some invaluable advice: Stand up straight! Re ... Read more
Meredith Bray What pain are you having? My physical therapist gave me some invaluable advice: Stand up straight! Resist the urge to curl inward to protect your chest. Whenever you are resting (sitting, reclining, sleeping) ensure your head/neck /shoulders are supported. Use a trvel pillow or a rolled up t-shirt under your neck, use some bed pillows under your arms to releive the weight on your shoulders. We spend an inordinate amount of energy holding our upper body up when we should be resting and healing. But when you're standing & walking, your posure should be impeccable, as straight up as possible. Good luck! (I was on Tylenol for about 3 weeks.) Good for getting off vicodin!
Michael Bronshteyn Thanks Meredith for great advice. My pain is not as bad as I get tired of it by the end of the day. ... Read more
Michael Bronshteyn Thanks Meredith for great advice. My pain is not as bad as I get tired of it by the end of the day. Taking Tylenol at the end of the day helps with pain and also helps to get more relax. I am currently on Beta Blockers. I noticed that once I take Tylenol, and start feeling better, my heart rate goes down a bit.