Trevor Woods - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

2049 days ago

Steve Salvador and 11 others reacted to this

Hello Heart Warriors, I have a question that could use your input. At my last Dr. appointment I was told that I did not need to do Cardiac Rehab. This being ...Read more

Hello Heart Warriors, I have a question that could use your input. At my last Dr. appointment I was told that I did not need to do Cardiac Rehab. This being that I’m young, in decent shape and have a history of working out all of my life on my own. What are your thoughts in regards to this? Do you think this is something one could manage on their own? Do you think Cardiac Rehab is completely necessary? I’m now 6 weeks post op, so now is the time to make a decision. I know I can push myself, but how much is too much and at what rate and for how long? These are my concerns about going at it on my own. I’d appreciate your thoughts on this matter, thanks in advance and God bless you as we all continue this journey. What a blessing to have others in the same position to lean on for support.

Louanna Miller My Cardiologist recommended Cardiac Rehab and I would not recover any other way. First, your heart is ... Read more

Louanna Miller My Cardiologist recommended Cardiac Rehab and I would not recover any other way. First, your heart is monitored as you exercise and you gradually increase your activity in a monitored environment. After 3 1/2 weeks I felt so much better. I completed 2 months monitored and then continued my program and increased my workout.

If you have any question about doing it I would encourage you to start it and if after a month you feel good about going it on your own, that’s okay too.

Jim Stutler Trevor, I was in good shape also as I went in for OHS.(Mitral Valve Repair, Bypass of the LAD, and a ... Read more

Jim Stutler Trevor, I was in good shape also as I went in for OHS.(Mitral Valve Repair, Bypass of the LAD, and a maze procedure). I too was given the choice of Cardiac Rehab or my own "program" afterward.
The cardio and surgeon both agreed that I would recover fine either way. I definitely don't want to knock Cardiac Rehab programs, they are a gods send for lots of folks. That being said, I followed my surgeons advice and just "got after it" on my own. I will be two years post surgery in June and the heart is great. I'm sure yours will be as well, either way.

Susan Lynn My surgeon said I didn't need to go, but I didn't know what level of exertion was appropriate for my ... Read more

Susan Lynn My surgeon said I didn't need to go, but I didn't know what level of exertion was appropriate for my level of recovery. I also wanted to improve my stamina as the post-op exhaustion lingered. I started very late due to scheduling constraints at my facility - three months after surgery - but, I found it so helpful, I did the initial 12 weeks and joined the extended program. I am still going, twice a week, a year later. I highly recommend you attend a few sessions to see if it works for you!

Bill Pollard My heart surgeon did not have me go to cardiac rehab. I ran 2 miles 33 days after open heart surgery ... Read more

Bill Pollard My heart surgeon did not have me go to cardiac rehab. I ran 2 miles 33 days after open heart surgery and 6 miles 41 days after surgery. I was in good physical shape going into surgery and exercise at least five days a week.

Rob Sparling Trevor, I did it and enjoyed the security of knowing they were reading my data. That helped me better ... Read more

Rob Sparling Trevor, I did it and enjoyed the security of knowing they were reading my data. That helped me better appreciate what level of exertion I could handle. (There were three instances where I asked them to check the output because I felt a little “wiggle” or irregularity.). And I also saw the measurable differences of different things: rest, alchohol, diet, etc and noted the net increase in my output from before to the end. All of it very valuable. Was it needed? No. I could have done it on my own. And I was not over the moon about the lack of commeraderie in my sesssions and was also somewhat inconvenienced that I had only work hours available (that added more stress/hassle). But I would definitely do it again. You should start it and see.

Marjorie Murphy I was in good shape after surgery. Have always exercised. You can work out at home I went to ca ... Read more

Marjorie Murphy I was in good shape after surgery. Have always exercised. You can work out at home I went to cardiac rehab 1-2 times per week. What was beneficial to me was monitoring my heart ,blood pressure and heart rate.

Marie Myers Doesn't hurt to try a few sessions. If you don't experience any issues with the exercise program, no ... Read more

Marie Myers Doesn't hurt to try a few sessions. If you don't experience any issues with the exercise program, no reason you can't do it on your own. My cardiologist gave me the option of whether or not to do formal rehab.

leslie terjesen I am seven weeks post op for aortic valve replacement and went for my cardiac rehab evaluation last w ... Read more

leslie terjesen I am seven weeks post op for aortic valve replacement and went for my cardiac rehab evaluation last week and began about half hour of exercise and going back three days this week for an hour of exercise each time. I think it is important, it's not just exercise but your heart is being monitored, not only do you have three leads on but there is a person looking on a computer to see how you are doing plus your blood pressure is done after each exercise. Although I am almost 69, I also have always worked out which I think helped me with the surgery as I had a pretty easy time and recovery but like the fact that for now my heart is being monitored while I exercise.

Trevor Woods Thank you all for you helpful input. I think the one major benefit initially is that the heart is mon ... Read more

Trevor Woods Thank you all for you helpful input. I think the one major benefit initially is that the heart is monitored, so you can see where you stand. I have my second Dr. appointment in a week. I think my approach will be to discuss again with my Dr, but anticipate that I will give it a go for a few sessions. This way I can see where I stand with exerting my heart physically. If after a few sessions I feel that this is something I can handle on my own, then I can make an educated and informed decision then. Again, thank you so much for your input. It really helps a lot to hear the perspectives of others who have journeyed down the same path. God bless you all as we continue the journey.

Dianne A I'm six weeks post op and wanting to start cardiac rehab. Both my cardiologist and surgeon recommend ... Read more

Dianne A I'm six weeks post op and wanting to start cardiac rehab. Both my cardiologist and surgeon recommend it. Also, my heart rate is high and gets significantly high pretty fast just walking or doing light hand weights. I would just get in trouble if I took off on my own. Right now we are waiting on my blasted insurance company to come to their senses, they have a brand new 2019 program to limit their cash outflow ..... they call it stand alone benefits for cardiac rehab that the insured is required to pay the co-pay regardless of the status of the annual out of pocket maximum.

Mark Jaycox Trevor, I decided to do the rehab after 7 weeks post op. Like you I was in relatively good shape. Aft ... Read more

Mark Jaycox Trevor, I decided to do the rehab after 7 weeks post op. Like you I was in relatively good shape. After 5 weeks I told my nurse I want to graduate early so I finished after 6 weeks. I probably would of completed the entire 12 weeks but I did not want to use all my flex spending dollars. This rehab is expensive so I hope you have good insurance. I enjoyed meeting the other patients, nurses and doctors. I would try it out and see if you like it.

Adam Pick Just do it! Cardiac rehab was the saving grace of my recovery. So many benefits - physical, social a ... Read more

Adam Pick Just do it! Cardiac rehab was the saving grace of my recovery. So many benefits - physical, social and emotional. Too bad cardiac rehabilitation is under-utilized. Fyi, we're surgical brothers. Dr. Starnes did my valve procedure 13 years ago! I'm actually going to shoot a video with him at USC this Friday. Such a great guy!

Mike Roskowinski Hey Trevor. I am not in the position to give advice quite yet since I have not even had surgery yet ... Read more

Mike Roskowinski Hey Trevor. I am not in the position to give advice quite yet since I have not even had surgery yet, but I would think at least taking a few sessions with cardiac rehab would be great for you. This will at least see what your heart is doing when you push yourself to certain points. I am sure once you feel comfortable and they feel confident in you they would allow you to stop taking it. Also if you feel good I am sure you can start doing some of you own cardiac rehab in conjunction with sessions. I am 39 and have been working out for the past 20 years 5 days a week and I would take it just to get numbers and see where I am at. Good Luck Trevor and God Bless

Thomas Brusstar I agree the benefit of the EKG monitors is worth it. You will want the confidence to know that you a ... Read more

Thomas Brusstar I agree the benefit of the EKG monitors is worth it. You will want the confidence to know that you are within limits, and that your heart is reacting well to stress. Rehab is the place to test your exertion limits. Even if you could exercise all you want with good discipline on your own, rehab is superior because the heart monitors give you the actual data/ feedback to give you confidence you are able to push harder. Plus the nurses/PT people were super nice and made the workouts fun. Just my two cents. (Yes it would expensive if you paid cash; but good insurance will cover it. It is a good investment to evaluate surgery outcome and lock in good habits for future health.)

Frank Neumann Hi Trever
I’m just finishing my cardiac rehab. 32 visits. I can attest that I feel 100% stronger an ... Read more

Frank Neumann Hi Trever
I’m just finishing my cardiac rehab. 32 visits. I can attest that I feel 100% stronger and more energy.

Dana Eyre I'd go for the "calibration" - the answer to those exact questions - how hard, for how long, and how ... Read more

Dana Eyre I'd go for the "calibration" - the answer to those exact questions - how hard, for how long, and how to increase those limits at the right rate. There's no downside to being monitored, and plenty of upside.

Kimberly Brown I had minimally invasive replacement and had been active for decades prior and have had no issues. Wa ... Read more

Kimberly Brown I had minimally invasive replacement and had been active for decades prior and have had no issues. Walked up 8 flights of stairs today at 7 weeks post op and walked 2.5 miles at lunch and did the eliptical at level 5 for 30 minutes before work. As long as you protect your breast bone I would think you would be fine on your own. If you have heart disease/stents etc... that is a whole different ball game and I woud do the rehab.

Richard Buckley Trevor, I was not young when I had a valve repair last fall (65) but i did regular exercise on my own ... Read more

Richard Buckley Trevor, I was not young when I had a valve repair last fall (65) but i did regular exercise on my own. I opted for the recommendation of cardiac rehab and am glad I did. I thought the pace was slow at times but I followed it. I did gain added confidence from the monitoring. They scheduled me to "graduate" two weeks early. On my last day I was running on a treadmill and they stopped me because my heart rate shot up. It would not come down when I stopped,so I got taken to the ER downstairs. Diagnosed with atrial flutter and was put on a heart rhythm drug, which I've been taking for 3 months. I did a couple extra sessions of rehab and was glad I did so I could see how my rate handled exercise. I'm now running and biking on my own. I'd say give it a try.

Robert Spindel Cardiac rehab is the way to go if it's available to you. (Not all surgical facilities offer it.) If y ... Read more

Robert Spindel Cardiac rehab is the way to go if it's available to you. (Not all surgical facilities offer it.) If you go it alone it's hard to know if you're overdoing or underdoing, neither of which is good. Rehab provides you with a tailored program and skilled, professional monitoring. It was wonderful for me. (Aortic valve replacement at 68, five years ago.)

Cindy Williams I highly recommend it! You will feel comfortable pushing your self knowing that your heart is being ... Read more

Cindy Williams I highly recommend it! You will feel comfortable pushing your self knowing that your heart is being monitored beat by beat while you work on a schedule the nurses create for you personal situation. I did mine for 6 weeks. My insurance covered it so it was like a free personal trainer for 6 weeks. I would never pass it up. ❤️😃

Linda Gilmore You can't go wrong doing a Cardiac Rehab!! Your monitored and the program gradually builds up your he ... Read more

Linda Gilmore You can't go wrong doing a Cardiac Rehab!! Your monitored and the program gradually builds up your heart. Be safe and go!!

Trevor Woods Thank you all so much for your input, and thank you Adam for opening a discussion for this topic. We ... Read more

Trevor Woods Thank you all so much for your input, and thank you Adam for opening a discussion for this topic. We are definitely surgical brothers as “The Maestro” is one of a kind. I agree with all of you that there is everything to gain, and nothing to lose by giving it a try. I plan on giving it a try so that I can have a good gage of how much my heart can take during exertion. I look forward to the next step in this journey and to having a confidence within my approach to gaining strength and endurance in my recovery process. Hopefully, others who may have questions in relation to this topic will read all of your thoughts and input, so that they too can make a well informed decision that is best for them. God bless you all as we continue the journey.

Carol StJohn I would go. I wasn't able to do Cardiac Rehab because of a bad hip but I would have loved to partici ... Read more

Carol StJohn I would go. I wasn't able to do Cardiac Rehab because of a bad hip but I would have loved to participate. They might teach you things you are not aware of. Good Luck.

Steve Salvador I had the same thoughts about rehab, but, you are in a better place, if you were to crash and burn. T ... Read more

Steve Salvador I had the same thoughts about rehab, but, you are in a better place, if you were to crash and burn. They are nurses that are trained and are constantly monitoring your vitals if anything did happen to you.

Vanessa Corwin My answer is YES! Do it! I was in good shape before my mitral valve repair and my cardiologist said t ... Read more

Vanessa Corwin My answer is YES! Do it! I was in good shape before my mitral valve repair and my cardiologist said the same thing, you could do it on your own. But I insisted and I did the rehab program which was great. You are in a monitored environment. The best thing about it for me was that it gave me confidence that I could work out vigorously and I'll be OK!

gail himmelsbach It is a comfort to have the monitors while doing rehab, and I did do 7 sessions, and was comfortable ... Read more

gail himmelsbach It is a comfort to have the monitors while doing rehab, and I did do 7 sessions, and was comfortable leaving the monitors and doing my own gym with the elliptical there.I am fit, but wanted to check it out. Medicare covered the cost for this, so if it is covered for you, try it would be my advice.

Richard King Hi Trevor, I was in good shape but went to rehab too. I also was given a boost of confidence by worki ... Read more

Richard King Hi Trevor, I was in good shape but went to rehab too. I also was given a boost of confidence by working out while wearing the monitors. By the end I was able to go as hard as I wanted with no arythmias at all. I had afib, a byproduct of the my aortic stenosis, before the surgery, so this was good confirmation that I was now doing a lot better. I highly recommend it if your insurance covers it. Good luck with your healing!

Dan Baltazor Do it!! I You'll gain more confidence than you'll realize. It may be a slower process than you might ... Read more

Dan Baltazor Do it!! I You'll gain more confidence than you'll realize. It may be a slower process than you might probably like, but overall it will give you what you need to push yourself when you are on your own, out there all by yourself exercising.

Trevor Woodsposted an update

2083 days ago

Dan Baltazor reacted to this

Hey Heart Warriors, today marks 1 week since my surgery. I feel pretty good, and I’m taking it easy. When in the hospital, my OT suggested a goal of 30-1 ...Read more

Hey Heart Warriors, today marks 1 week since my surgery. I feel pretty good, and I’m taking it easy. When in the hospital, my OT suggested a goal of 30-1 hour of walking a day. I walked .75 of a mile in 20 minutes today, came home and was beat! I’m trying to minimize the use of the pain killers as much as possible although I do use them as needed. I’m on a strict heart healthy diet so far as well. My question to you all is- Does this seems like the right approach? Am I doing too much? When I’m done walking and take my meds, it whoops my butt good and I nap to reboot, is this ok? I just want to see if I’m doing what I should be doing and if this is normal at this early stage of the journey. Thank you for reading and please share your thoughts!

Rob Sparling Trevor, I accumulated 1,000 minutes of walking in my first month post-op but I don’t think I ramped ... Read more

Rob Sparling Trevor, I accumulated 1,000 minutes of walking in my first month post-op but I don’t think I ramped up as fast as you. I did several small walks per day of short duration. As I shrank the number of walks, it was because the duration was longer. I noted that in my first month — when my metoprolol dosage was the highest — that I did not get a message from my body that it was tired during the exercise, only AFTER. There was one 20 minute walk that at minute 19 it was a godsend that I was at the end of my driveway. 🙏 Rebooting with a nap the first several weeks was normal for me. Others here had more need and being very tired is common. Keep moving! The real battle is the SODIUM. Make sure you focus there, for sure. It is sneaky and lurks everywhere.

Trevor Woods Thank you Rob, yes that Sodium is quite sneaky. Luckily for now I really do not have a taste for it. ... Read more

Trevor Woods Thank you Rob, yes that Sodium is quite sneaky. Luckily for now I really do not have a taste for it. In fact when I do taste a hint of it in a couple of my low sodium meals it has given my taste buds an uncomfortable and almost nauseating feeling. I think you made a great point in that I need to do smaller yet more frequent walks initially. This could be even more productive and save me a bit of energy in the process. Thank you so much for your input.

Jennifer John Trevor, it sounds like you're on the right track. Keep walking. But be gentle with yourself. You've b ... Read more

Jennifer John Trevor, it sounds like you're on the right track. Keep walking. But be gentle with yourself. You've been through something major. Naps are good. Helps your body heal. And yes, sodium is tough to avoid. Start by not adding salt to food. You'd be surprised how much you don't need it. Check out some of my previous Journal posts. Might help. Can't hurt. :)

Susan Lynn Trevor - Walking definitely helps! I started in 10 minute intervals, multiple times per day, and eve ... Read more

Susan Lynn Trevor - Walking definitely helps! I started in 10 minute intervals, multiple times per day, and eventually worked my way up to longer periods of time. You probably just overdid it a bit. In addition, exhaustion is very common after OHS, so that is likely contributing to how tired you're feeling. Keep up the good work, just do it in moderation! Speedy recovery!

Trevor Woods Thank you Jennifer and Susan for your input. Moderation is the key and taking it easy will be my appr ... Read more

Trevor Woods Thank you Jennifer and Susan for your input. Moderation is the key and taking it easy will be my approach. I will also look back to your previous journal post Jennifer as I’m sure more information will be helpful. Thanks again.

Rob Sparling I stsrted with 8 individual 3 minute walks throughout the day. Then 6 different 4 minute walks. Then ... Read more

Rob Sparling I stsrted with 8 individual 3 minute walks throughout the day. Then 6 different 4 minute walks. Then 5 x 5 and 4 x 6 and eventually 3 x 8. I made it to 20 min walks twice per day, then 3x15 and then the neighborhood I walk through overwhelmed all else because a block was the minimum distance. Do I do only one or do I do two? At that point I was doing 36-40 mins. When the days are longer and warmer you will really enjoy it. Be sure to have a backup plan, take your phone and have a way home in case of need. But just walk! Like Forest Gump, but with walking instead! 👍

Trevor Woods Lol, I got it! I’ll be walking” 😆 Thank You for sharing Rob. Breaking it all down into interva ... Read more

Trevor Woods Lol, I got it! I’ll be walking” 😆 Thank You for sharing Rob. Breaking it all down into intervals and progressing as you go makes great sense and will help me build stamina and strength along the way. I appreciate your input.

Rita Savelis Everything is normal. Of ccourse you're exhausted. Your heart is still healing. This isn't a race. Wa ... Read more

Rita Savelis Everything is normal. Of ccourse you're exhausted. Your heart is still healing. This isn't a race. Walk a little bit every day. Take naps. Breathe. You'll be fine.

Dan Baltazor You are doing it right. Walk, sleep, walk, sleep repeat. You'll regain your strength and endurance. ... Read more

Dan Baltazor You are doing it right. Walk, sleep, walk, sleep repeat. You'll regain your strength and endurance. This one kicks our butts!!!! Hang in there.

Gregory Ballard You were in good hands with Dr. Starnes. He was my surgeon too!! Only one week post op, yes I'm sur ... Read more

Gregory Ballard You were in good hands with Dr. Starnes. He was my surgeon too!! Only one week post op, yes I'm sure you are tired. Take it easy. You are young and will have a good recovery. Stay on the pain meds as long as you need them and don't try to ween yourself too soon it will help with your recovery. Keep us all posted I'm sure by next week you will be feeling even better and have more energy.