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No Lexus so I'll just keep driving my Volvo The valve is the Starr-Edwards "ball-in-cage" valve model 1020 that started open heart valve surgery in 1960. About 800,000 were produced and Edwards Lifesciences Inc. discontinued the valve in 2007. I understand that there are still many of these...

This AM 57 years ago I was being surgically prepped for a mechanical valve implanto_O. I still have that original mechanical valve:). My surgeon told me the valve was tested to last 50 years and that should be enough time since life expectancy in 1967 was about 73 years......giving me about 8...

Hi GAG12345.....and welcome. Read thru the posts on this Forum and you will find many others who have felt as you do.........and have gone on to live long, productive lives. Ask any questions you have and you will receive answers from many who have had that same question.

Grapefruit, like other citrus fruits, can affect INR. I recently found that "clemantines", another citrus fruit, will also increase INR if consumed daily. Many products can, might, sometimes affect INR.........but I don't remove them from my diet, I just consume them a little less frequently...

Warfarin works that way from time to time. As you continue to heal from your surgery and become more active you will find your Warfarin needs will change and a +/- .7 INR change is not that unusual......but it normally does trigger a dosing change. I understand that the valve manufacturer is...

Welcome to Warfarin. Testing only one day after changing your dose is a waste of time and strips. It takes 2-3 days for the drug to metabolize so testing the day after is meaningless. The 0.6 drop over a few days can, and does, happen for reasons unknown. If you ever figure out warfarin you...

Welcome YogySue. Like you, I am here only because of technology. In 1966, when I was 30, my Cardio and Surgeon told me I would not live to 40......without a heart valve replacement. This 'lil ole mechanical valve" I got in 1967 has allowed me to more than double the dire prediction they gave...

I fully agree. I've also returned to my cardios lab after home testing for years for reasons similar to yours. I am also getting old and sometimes prone to "elder mistakes" plus becoming very impatient with the BS in dealing with the third party administrators currently required for Medicare...

For many years I did the "elbow" blood draw monthly. I have done the "finger stick" since it was introduced and normally test every two weeks....unless my INR tests more than .3 out of range, which seldom happens. My INR range is 2.5-3.5 and any INR within that range is acceptable. I used to...

Hi Hannah. I was born in 1936 with what my mother called a heart murmur, probably a bi-cuspid aortic valve. At about 7 I contracted Scarlet Fever or Rheumatic Fever. Neither of these caused me any heart problems until I reached adulthood. I had an Aortic mechanical valve implanted at age 31...

Good for you. I told you that you would see the opening ceremonies of the Olympics!!

I agree with Pell. Make sure to involve your cardio in the decision to hold your warfarin. That 7-day hold might be OK for someone on warfarin for afib, etc., but not for a person with two mechanical valves. It sounds like the instructions you received are "boiler plate" instructions for...

I apologize if you think I was making "light" of your situation. It appears you have had tests that indicate "severe aortic stenosis". That was my diagnosis as well and it is serious......but it is also "fixable"......with little effect on your life and lifestyle. You are fortunate to have...

We'll see you on the other side. I have no doubt you will watch the opening ceremonies.

Welcome to the Forum. I received my mechanical valve about three years before you were born. It is the only valve I've had and on August 16, 2024 it will be 57 years old......and still going strong. ACT(anti-coagulation therapy) is a pill and routine blood testing that is as simple as "tying...

Getting it checked out is the smartest thing you can do now. If the CT checks out you are free to go. If the CT identifies an issue you can deal with it in a "thought thru" way. This Forum will be a good place for help if there is an issue. Good luck!

I did something similar about a year ago. Slipped on wet grass and fell forward down a slight incline. I caught myself with my arms extended. My arm was pushed into my ribs. It continued to hurt for 3 weeks and I thought perhaps I'd better find out if I had cracked a rib. My doc took an...

I also have a mechanical valve. I don't recall any TIA's but I was diagnosed with chronic a-fib about 10 years ago. My A-fib causes no issues and I am usually unaware of it. Since I was already on warfarin, no additional meds were added to guard against stroke.

I have noticed INR changes with different brands over the years. If your drugs are FDA approved, they should all be OK but my experience is to stay with one manufacturer and adjust your INR to that manufacturer's formula. FWIW, I'd buy only the 4mg tabs and split a tab to get a...

Say hi to your friend for me. I also have one of those old "ball-in-cage" valves (57 years old). Those old valves last a long, long time.....but they had a history of throwing clots and that is the reason they are no longer on the market. Like me, I think her INR range is 2.5-3.5 because of...