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I had the fluid build up 10 weeks after AVR. Ended up in emergency surgery to have a pericardial window put in. They open the pericardial and drain fluid and then leave opening in pericardial so fluid does not build up again. I have been told it will close up again over time. I read up and some...

The heart rate should come back down over time as the heart readjusts. I too was delayed getting into rehab. Try to walk as much as you can while waiting. When I made it to rehab at 8 weeks, they tested me and said I was in better shape than most of those who completed the program, so only did...

I was on Metropolol for maybe 16 weeks after surgery and had a constant cough that went away after I stopped taking it. Is reported a side effect on the drug. Doctor should be able to put you on something else to help with the heart rate.

Hi Dion, In my case I talked to my cardiologist who set me up with http://phmhometesting.com/. I talked to PHM and they contacted my insurance and let me know that I would pay $40 a month and insurance would pay the rest. I have had it for a year and they have not sent me any bill yet...

You will do just fine. I thought back to my surgery and really do not remember having any issues with any pain. Some minor discomfort, but no real pain. Don't be afraid to ask for more pain meds if you feel you need them. My first night I had a hard time sleeping because I cannot sleep on my...

You may want to flag your doctor. The painful part means something may be amiss. My wife had looked it up and told me the bump was normal right after surgery. But about 2 weeks after surgery, I did call and go visit the surgeon as it was getting red and warm, and he found there was an infection...

This article talks about a person who has gone 23 years http://icvts.oxfordjournals.org/content/8/2/263.full

I wanted to add my 2 cents in. I did not have a BAV, just a leaking valve and my ascending aorta was showing 5.0. Was discovered after doc heard a murmur. He said I would need surgery within 5 years. One year later echo showed leakage was worse and it was time. I had no syptoms and was biking my...

I am having second MRI this year later in this week. If you have an MRI, just show card to tech doing MRI and they will call and confirm that their equipment is ok. I think most equipment is ok, just want to confrim. Not sure of any other test to be concerned about, but am interested to see any...

I am using a Omron HR-100C Heart Rate Monitor Good basic unit, Options go up with prices. Higher options include being able to down load the info to computer after workout to see how you did. I have this one just to watch rate while working out. It is on Amazon for around $35. It has a strap...

My doctor gave me a hand written card when I left hosptial and about 2 monhts later I got the real card. Below is link that should get you contact info for St Jude so you you can contact ehm. I am sure they will send you a card...

I had mine removed at 8 am on day 3. Around 3:30 in the afternoon, nurse came in and asked if I had peed yet. I told her no. She then said if nothing came out by 4 she would have to put it back in. I wish she had told me that ealier as I then drank a large glass of water and was able to give her...

I am 14 months out and not having issue with weight, although doc told me to drop 20 pounds. I am down maybe 10 pounds from before surgery. I did just start a new diet based on taking wheat out of the diet. It is not totally gluten free, but no wheat and you cut down on other carbs. Supposed to...

I was also supposed to have a mini, but doctor said when they did the TEE just after they put me out, they found the heart was not only larger, but also deeper in the chest and he felt for safety, he would do the full cut. He told me there was no difference in rcoervery after the 3 month mark. I...

Congratulations and welcome to the other side.

Metaproplol gave me a cough that went away after I was allowed to stop taking it.

We live about 2 miles from hospital and the first night my wife went home just after they gave me another morphine shot around 7 pm. She had planned on staying as room had a pull out bed, but needed the rest herself as the hospital is just too noisy to get good rest in without medications.

Yes very interesting. I had infection at about week 3 when the bump got red and swollen. But a year out? Let us know what doc says.

I was told to place the monitor on a table as it should not be moved during test. Then I draw blood on the side on finger and then hold finger up against the side of the strip and leave it there for maybe 5 seconds. It will draw the blood into the strip. I have been using it for maybe 8 months...

Well for comparison, I am 200 pounds and extremly active having biked 3000 miles this year. I usually do at least 1 hour of working out each evening if not on bike for 1 1/2 hours. At this time I take 30 mg a week, 5 mg 5 nights a week and 2.5 the other 2 days, which seems low to me. I am...