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I agree about the “mind games” that go with a deteriorating valve. Am I more short of breath than usual after going up those stairs? Is this puffing normal after stairs? Is it in my head or is it real? I am constantly asking myself these questions. Your cardiologist will guide you to the...

Best wishes. Soon you will be on the mend, getting stronger each day.

Disturbing Influence. I hope that the major journals are actively looking for this bias before agreeing to publish any article.

Sounds like you are in good hands.

This nicely explains why exercise tolerance is well preserved in aortic regurgitation, even when severe (until the heart finally starts decompensating). The high heart rate, high cardiac output and vasodilation from exercise tend to improve the proportion of blood that goes forward and stays...

Hi coffeelover (I love coffee as well), Some trivial regurgitation is normal for a mechanical valve but not mild to moderate regurgitation. You probably know this stuff but I didn't and many on the forums won't. The Top Hat mechanical aortic valve sits supra annular. As the diagram below...

A reading of 155/77 is consistent with being stressed. Home readings can be more accurate than doctor’s readings when you are a bit tense. If several readings remain persistently elevated even when you are properly relaxed, then a doctor review is needed. Hopefully, it is all fine.

I think your risk is no different to non heart patients. You are not on blood thinners which could increase the risk of bleeding/wound hematoma. Your well functioning heart should cause no problems for the general anesthetic. They will probably give you a shot of antibiotics to protect the...

A space age black ring sounds cool. I agree that the 1.5 - 2.0 INR sounds more like marketing hype than a sensible long term level.

Has anyone found a phone app useful for monitoring?

Sorry to hear that your wife is having such a difficult time. I agree with Pellicle that there are multiple potential causes of tiredness. Your wife is fortunate to have your help. Best wishes

Potentially you would have walked around for years thinking that you had severe regurgitation and therefore close to surgery. Much better to know that it is mild and only requires occasional observation. You raised my level of awareness, thank you. Next time I see someone on the forum saying...

Checking for atherosclerosis is standard procedure. The rationale is that you could have a coronary bypass at the same time if required. Also it looks for altered coronary artery origins which might need replumming at the time of surgery. Best wishes

My feeling with hearts is that it is even less predictable than the blue line! Add some random angles!

I had a careful read of the Uretsky study (Discordance Between Echocardiography and MRI in the Assessment of Mitral Regurgitation Severity). I found it an interesting read. If you have two different observers measure the same person with MRI, there was better agreement than if two different...

It is the latest guideline we have by the American Heart Association. I agree that it is a bit old. I think that the literature has moved on regarding the timing of intervention (particularly aortic valve disease). I haven’t noticed recent articles invalidating using echo for regurgitation...

The 2014 American Heart Association guideline states: “In most cases, TTE provides the data needed for adequate evaluation of the MR patient. However, in cases where TTE image quality is poor, CMR may be of value in MR evalua- tion. CMR produces highly accurate data on LV volumes, RV volumes...

From what I can tell, the Livanova bicarbon valve is the new name for the Sorin bicarbon valve. Livanova was formed in 2015 by the merger of Sorin and Cyberonics. I can see a couple long-term studies for the Sorin bicarbon valve where it appears to have good results - similar to studies for...

It sounds like you have settled on a plan that has sensible people keeping an eye on you. You are likely to do well. Best wishes. If you don’t mind, keep us informed how you go.

Great to hear that you are at home :) Best wishes