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My watch needs a power meter on the bike to calculate VO2 max, so maybe that's why yours is not working. It may also require a chest strap instead of the wrist-based HR. I think mine does. These are the latest estimates from Garmin for my running and biking VO2 max: Cycling: Running: I...

Notwithstanding the resting heart rate, how are you feeling, and how is your fitness compared to before surgery? That's what matters!

@HokieHaden, how's your resting heart rate doing? It took about a year for mine to return to pre-surgery levels. Mine was 54 before surgery, up to 62 for the first months after surgery, drifted down to 56 at six months, and back to 54 a year later.

Note that heart rate and heart rate variability are two different things. Only the more recent wearables can measure heart rate variability, and my Garmin Fenix 5 doesn't. The lack of this feature is what makes me consider upgrading.

Nice. Then, no doubt you are fitter. Do you have a wearable that estimates VO2 max? I wonder if your estimated V02 max increased. FYI, I did a medical VO2 max test after my surgery to clear me for high-intensity exercise. The accurate laboratory result wasn't far off my Garmin's estimate...

Are you on a beta blocker? A beta blocker will lower your heart rate at the same level of effort. At least, metoprolol does for me. I'm also a cyclist and use a power meter. When I'm on metoprolol, my heart rate is 10 - 20 beats/min lower at the same power output. I have no idea how my body...

I've been through this twice. For me, the one year was to get back to full strength with no pain. It went like this: I lifted nothing heavier than a gallon of milk for three months, followed by three months of slowly increasing strength, starting with two-pound weights and increasing weight...

Don't stop looking! Your story sounds like there is something wrong. It is very different from my experience returning to exercise after two surgeries and my experience with a mechanical valve. Keep pushing your docs. Get a cardiac MRI and nuclear exercise stress test or VO2 max test. Find a...

Consider how much not being active also impacts your mental state. I had substantial exercise restrictions for a year before my aortic valve replacement (mechanical) and aorta repair. I realized that exercise is essential for me both mentally and physically. It's great to be on the other...

Yeah, my cardiologists never mentioned it but referred me to a congenital heart disease specialist for a consult, who brought it up. She also suggested skipping an echo every few years and doing a cardiac CT or cardiac MRI (to reduce radiation exposure). Otherwise, you won't know if you have...

No, I believe a tissue valve in someone super active won't last as long as in someone sedentary. I'm not sure if any studies prove that, but that's what my surgeon told me is the presumption when I chose a mechanical valve.

New bike for me too! Warfarin was my excuse. :D I previously rode gravel trails on my road bike. Fun, but a little sketchy at times. I bought a hardtail mountain bike for gravel, rationalizing that I'll be much less likely to fall and not put junk miles on my full-suspension MTB. N+1!

I'm also on 12.5 mg twice a day and tolerate it well. My initial 25 mg twice daily made me tired and my bp too low. Did you have a bicuspid aortic valve like me? If so, there's another reason to consider staying on Metroprol. Following my surgery, I consulted with a cardiologist...

Consider establishing care with a concierge PCP with a fixed monthly fee and doesn't involve insurance. I will pursue that option if it looks like I won't hit my out-of-pocket max and I want to dump the overpriced at-home monitoring service.

I used to test monthly at the lab to keep my doc happy and prescribing warfarin. I would also test weekly at home with my eBay supplies I bought to benefit from more frequent testing. I wouldn't tell the doc about my testing at home. I'm now on the overpriced at-home testing program covered...

Yes, I think that's the case. IIRC, the studies are around age. Tissue valves have been shown to last longer in older folks, and the presumption is that's because they are more sedentary.

My surgeon told me that the more active you are, the faster a tissue valve will wear out. This was in the context of endurance exercise. I trust he knows what he's talking about. I just checked, and he an author on 197 publications.

The body fat scales are rather inaccurate. If you want to track body fat, consider paying for an accurate test occasionally. A dunk tank is generally considered one of the best. Several body fat trucks in CA travel to health clubs: http://www.bodyfattest.com/locations.html Your lean body...

Why? How large is your aneurysm? My docs didn't want to do surgery until my regurgitation was severe.

I'll just let my ER charts tell my rather embarrassing warfarin overdose story. Sat Jul 30, 2022 55-year-old man presents with concern for warfarin overdose. Patient is status post recent aortic valve replacement in June. He has been on warfarin since then. He typically takes 8.5 mg daily...