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Thank you for your thoughts on this. I did see a positive trend in February for a couple of weeks when I was under less stress. I'm back to where I was though. Might be time for some lifestyle changes. :)

Hi everyone, I haven't been on here in ages, but I've been wondering about something. Do any of you use a device that reports on your Heart Rate Variability? (Here's what it is: Resting Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability (HRV): What’s the Difference? — Part 1) Counter-intuitively, a high HRV...

I'm 90% sure that "negative" results are exactly what you want. They didn't find anything to be concerned about. The other things you posted support that impression too. FWIW, I had "severe" AR for 40+ years before it started to impact my heart's health and they did anything about it. Try to...

Good luck with your decision. I traveled from NorCal to Philadelphia for an aortic valve repair two years ago. I felt that was my best chance for a successful repair and I'm very happy I did it. My husband and I planned to stay for two weeks, which turned out to be a good thing. Two days...

When I was waiting for my surgery date, I found a snippet on here that inspired me to find this quote. It's so true. ""Courage is more exhilarating than fear and in the long run it is easier. We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up...

17 months post-op and I'm still waiting, but not expecting a miracle. I have two hard lumps (wires I guess) under a keloid. The keloid flattened a bit after a couple of cortisone shots and now I'm wearing a silicone scar sheet that seems to be working. The sheets didn't work before the...

I didn't have a J incision. The "cross cut" to the space between ribs is in the bone, but the sternotomy incision is the same but shorter. (My cardiologist considers my case a full sternotomy, but the 6" scar indicates they didn't cut my sternum all the way to the notch at the top. The skin...

I had the same surgeon as Heart of the Sunrise and asked for On-X if it came to it. He said okay, but only if he didn't have to do some other stuff that would require him to switch to a different valve. I don't recall the details, but it was related to whether he had to reduce the size of my...

Hi Bonbet, I wondered for a long time about how they get enough access with a shorter incision too. Then I realized they cut the sternum and then notch over to the space between the ribs - they can then pry open enough space to work because your rib cage will give. (It's not as bad as it...

Teju, I don't have experience with multiple surgeries but wanted to let you know my thoughts are with you. It's terribly unfair to have to go through everything again - especially so soon after the first time. I'm sure you will still have a long and happy life once your heart is properly...

Interesting point about the life insurance. I got a term policy nearly 15 years ago, and I'm sure if they asked about heart issues I told them about my murmur (i.e., moderate-severe aortic regurgitation). They did a cursory physical with blood tests and stuff. My rate is pretty darn cheap, so...

In case no one answered: the echo would pick up an aneurysm. They always look for that at the end of the test. My BAV had a torrential leak and I never had any symptoms. Sure, palpitations occasionally, but nothing that alarmed me. I've known about my heart issue all my life so I've always...

My cardiologist only did one 4 months post-op because I nudged him into it. (Me: "aren't you curious how it looks?") I won't see him again until I'm 16 months post-op. The day after tomorrow is my one year anniversary! (Already. Yet it seems like a lifetime ago.)

2-3 weeks post-op? Wow, it took at least six weeks before the last of the darn scab fell off of my incision. I do wish I had started with the silicone sheets right after that. I haven't seen any improvement with them so far (after four weeks).

I'm so thankful I was already in a drugged haze before they figured out they had to delay my surgery - and it was only a 5-6 hour delay. Hang in there, rufus, the waiting is one of the toughest parts. We'll all be cheering for you and waiting on the other side.

I made sure to keep mine covered for the first 8 months or so, but now I'll occasionally let it show and use SPF 70 on it. I burn easy, and if I was going to be outside for a few hours I'd probably still keep it covered. I'm paranoid about making it look worse. The top inch or so is pink and...

Yesterday I started feeling sick, like I have the flu (sore throat, shivers, fever) and I'm leaving for vacation on Tuesday (in Europe). I figured I have to do what I can to nip this in the bud so I went to the doctor this morning. I'm still running a low-grade fever and now my skin hurts. He...

Yesterday I started feeling sick, like I have the flu (sore throat, shivers, fever) and I'm leaving for vacation on Tuesday (in Europe). I figured I have to do what I can to nip this in the bud so I went to the doctor this morning. I'm still running a low-grade fever and now my skin hurts. He...

That's great, Chris! No drugs and no restrictions - perfect. I'd ask him for a copy of the presentation. That would be cool. It's the least he can do for making you wait forever. ;-)

Sorry - duplicate. Stupid site said it wouldn't take the post...