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My 12-year anniversary is June 12th. Of course, my St Jude's, now Abbot, Trifecta bovine tissue valve was taken off the market in mid 2023 due to potential early Structural Valve Deterioration! Looks like I made it past the 'early' period and my latest echocardiogram shows it's in excellent...

63 years Since 6/6/2012. Almost 11 years. St. Judes Trifecta 25mm bovine aortic valve. Eecho test every other year shows that it's working fine. I originally had a bicuspid aortic valve since birth. No post meds if I recall. I don't take any meds due to my new valve. No complications...

Very sound logic Fergus. Congratulations. Tom

Thanks Mark, that's exactly what I hoped to hear. Do you remember how long you were on beta-blockers? I realize everyone's heart muscle returns to 'normal' in different amounts of time so going off beta-blockers seems to be the key to returning to the days of fun of extreme work-outs! I'm on...

Good one :tongue2: When I used the treadmill I set the incline on maximum (15%) and looked down on everyone, the nurse therapists really got a kick out that. Tom

Long story short, I called my Cardiologist and told him I didn't think the cardio therapy was doing me any good and I was out of shape and not a happy camper. He agreed and said to go ahead and cut my beta blocker dosage in half and start exercising on my own. Today was my last cardio therapy...

Thanks Tom...that's what I thought..I'll be making calls asap! :thumbup: Tom

Initially they were keeping my MET levels at 4.5 or so but after a few weeks or so I started working a little harder out of sheer boredom. They then told me to stay below 130 bpm and they carefully monitor the electrocardiogram traces while I'm 'exercising'. They say the electrical performance...

Going on 10 weeks of three visits per week and nothing has changed. What's the point? I'm told these mild exercises will strengthen my heart and get it back in shape but these treadmill, stationary bike and wall pulley exercises are designed for people who are out of shape...I was in excellent...

My surgeon said it was very unlikely that I would need a pacemaker after my AVR surgery. But they did place pacemaker wires in my heart just in case. A nurse practitioner removed the wires the day I left (One of the most excruciating, painful eight seconds in my lifetime!!!). From what I have...

Good point, BUT, someone PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong, from what I understand after much research 'lifestyle' has absolutely nothing to do with the survival rate of an artificial heart valve. Only the progression of time has a deleterious effect on a tissue valve. Once I'm sufficiently...

Interesting. My 'tissue' valve structure is made of high strength titanium and wrapped with tissue and I have MRI strength limitations. Induction cookware must be made of a magnetic-based material, such as cast iron or magnetic stainless steel so I'm safe. Tom

One more thing to consider. Although I didn't read all the extensive responses to your question by others here I have an important point. My point concerns OHS patients who define their lives (mostly) by very active outdoor pursuits (like you and I). I am at 9 weeks post op with a tissue valve...

Thanks for your kind words, all the best for you also.....and I too will be 'recovering' using cruise-therapy soon...the Disney Dream in October. Tom

I get it. I have no problem walking, doing the laundry, cutting the lawn, running errands, vacuuming, cleaning. gardening, participating in our political process (big time) and volunteer work. What I had to give up to have OHS is what has me flustered. I gave up a one week bicycle trip in the...

You must be a youngster, we old people treasure our relatively short time left on this earth so we get a little antsy when we are alienated from our dream activities for up to a year. I feel like I’m in prison for pity sakes…peering through the window at life passing by. I plan on making up for...

Where's the happy posts on this subject? This subject thread needs to be read by everyone trying to decide between tissue and mechanical AVR! The possibility of going through this again is...:thumbd:

oh that was funny....:tongue2:

Wow, that's scary indeed. I've been on bata blockers since OHS, and I hope to get permission to get back on my bicycle soon. Bikers rule! Tom

I like how my President, President George W. Bush did NOT let his body go to pot even with the stresses of his job. He worked out regularly and he's still very robust. And speaking of 'new healthcare laws' you mentioned, I am VERY thankful I had my operation before the hordes of government hack...