1 year +

[R0Y]

Well, it's been a bit over a year since my mitral valve repair and double bypass. (And quite a while since my last post.) I want to say "Hi" and to again express my gratitude for the help and support I got from this community. Life is good and I am thankful every day for the miracle of my successful surgery.

I finally got off almost all my meds two months ago after a bit of a struggle with my primary cardiologist. He wouldn't discuss changes in the beta blocker that was interfering with my exercise tolerance. Fortunately, my secondary cardiologist at the medical school hospital where I had my surgery, was much more accommodating. I weaned off with no increase in my bp. I'm now down to aspirin, lipitor, and a low dose of lasix.

I feel great, but I am still not fully back to the level of exercise tolerance before the surgery. My whole breathing/heart rate response is different. I cycle a lot with a heart rate monitor so I know what is happening. I never really feel breathless but my heart rate will rise quite a bit. It normally comes down during exercise if I ease up a bit, but if I have pushed a bit harder, that won't happen unless I rest. Then it comes back down nicely within a minute or two. I haven't been able to get any information about this situation from my cardiologists beyond that they are not concerned and I should keep doing what I am doing. I'm wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience or has any insight on the issue.

-- roy --

 

[Nancy]

Hi Roy-

It's nice to hear from you again, and especially since you are doing so well.

I hope things stay as good as they are and even better forever.

Don't be a stranger now!

Best wishes,

 

[BillCobit]

Exercise and heart rate after MV surgery

Exercise and heart rate after MV surgery

Hi Roy -

Your experience sounds like mine. I'm 45, my MV repair surgery was about 1.5 years ago. My resting HR is still elevated (high 70s now v. high 50s before). My exercise heart rate has also been elevated. I too never feel really breathless during exercise, but when my HR gets north of 160-165, I start to feel pretty cr@ppy. My cardio doc sez he is "puzzled but not alarmed" about the HR. I also have a HR threshold point beyond which I can't recover unless I park on the couch for a while; my wheels fell off during my first two post-op triathlons before I understood how that phenomenon worked. I keep my eye on my HRM now...if my HR gets above 160 for more than a few minutes, I back off to let it drop back to about 150 or less. That seems to keep me out of trouble, even though it means I have to sometimes stop for brief walking breaks during triathlon.

I've recently been encouraged by some improvements just over the last few months. My exercise heart rate has dropped a bit so I can now run and bike just a bit faster and for MUCH longer distances. I'm hoping the HR trend continues.

There used to be a point where it seemed duration of exercise would cause my HR to rise, even though intensity was constant; so I'd be OK for a few hours on the bike, but then HR would spike up. A few recent challenges seem to prove I've now got that behind me. Last month I completed a half ironman (admittedly last in my division), and Labor day week I did a 4 day bike ride in VT averaging 70+ miles/day (even climbed the gap roads too) -- so even after 7+ hours moderate cardio exercise, my HR is under control.

I've kept an exercise & heart rate log since surgery. Although there have been several times when I thought I had ceased to improve, the data shows that I've continued to make improvements, tho ever so slowly.

I don't know if any of this info helps you, other than maybe to know you're not alone. I'd be interested in comparing notes from time to time if you like. I'll send my email address by PM to you.

Good luck w/ the continued recovery!

Bill

 

[R0Y]

Bill,

Knowing that someone else is having a similar pattern of recovery, and making measurable progress, is definitely encouraging. Thanks for sharing this.

-- roy --

 

[Scottie]

Congrats Rob!

Congrats Rob!

I;m just passed the year too Rob...and although I'm not heavily or even lightly into exercise I do know what you mean ....I've just accepted that I'm not ever going to be as healthy as some of my friends ...I'm not really able to carry heavy weights or run for as long or as far as them ....but hey I'm alive and thankfor for that ...I live a busy life and thats better than the other option . Great to hear you are doing well too ...I love this place ..I think it saved my life as much as the surgeon did !
Take care
Scottie

 

[bvdr]

I'm glad to hear each one of you is doing well and that you all seem to be saying the improvement continued throughout most of the first year. That is highly encouraging.

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Roy

Congratulations on your YEAR A VERSARY. Tyce just had his this past June....We were able to celebrate twice, His AVR and my 1 year retirement from teaching....I hope you and Scottie have many more.

Evelyn