Hi all
I had a 3 month post op check up on valentines day (as goods a day as any to get your heart checked I guess..) and everything is great. My cardio said my heart has looked better than it has done for many years. They managed to get a bigger mechanical valve in than the failed tissue valve and it has done the job. My heart pretty much looks normal again (despite me putting on lots of weight and not doing enough exercise!). They also did an INR check and it was 1.9 which is 0.1 out of range. Within the last 3 months my INR has been 2.5,2.3, 2.2 and 1.9, I'm guessing it's getting lower as I'm becoming a lot more active.
They also gave me a INR home monitor with the appropriate training so all good there. Testing strips and lancets also covered by the NHS (amazing!). They said that this will enable me to keep my range within 2-2.5 instead of 2-3 and want me to monitor every 2 weeks. They said doing it weekly is not really any more of an advantage and can actually be counter productive if the dosage is constantly being changed.
My blood pressure has been relatively high post surgery, around 140/80 so we both agreed that this should be lower. My cardio recommended losartan (cozaar) as she thinks this is the best medication for someone of my age. Apparently it may also prevent aortic aneurysms which isn't a bad thing especially after having valve+root replaced. Anyone been on this? Apparently it also has little effect on INR. She also said that Losartan can also make people feel better (more alert and improved memory)Hopefully with more exercise, healthy eating and medication this should bring it down dramatically.
I also said although I don't mind the ticking, it's a slight annoyance. She hopes reducing the blood pressure, heart rate and with more time this will be much more quiet. It's more the thumping than the ticking which is probably due to having a higher bp. My heart has had to work harder than most peoples over the last 20 years so it's bound to be pumping out with a higher pressure. I have felt a gradual reduction in this sound over the weeks.
After saying I didn't wan't another operation like this EVER again they said there are no guarantees but having a mechanical valve greatly reduces this risk and the main risk of reops can be controlled (infections, valve thrombosis).
I have to have an MRI in 6 months and from then on hopefully it will be an annual visit from then on.
I had a 3 month post op check up on valentines day (as goods a day as any to get your heart checked I guess..) and everything is great. My cardio said my heart has looked better than it has done for many years. They managed to get a bigger mechanical valve in than the failed tissue valve and it has done the job. My heart pretty much looks normal again (despite me putting on lots of weight and not doing enough exercise!). They also did an INR check and it was 1.9 which is 0.1 out of range. Within the last 3 months my INR has been 2.5,2.3, 2.2 and 1.9, I'm guessing it's getting lower as I'm becoming a lot more active.
They also gave me a INR home monitor with the appropriate training so all good there. Testing strips and lancets also covered by the NHS (amazing!). They said that this will enable me to keep my range within 2-2.5 instead of 2-3 and want me to monitor every 2 weeks. They said doing it weekly is not really any more of an advantage and can actually be counter productive if the dosage is constantly being changed.
My blood pressure has been relatively high post surgery, around 140/80 so we both agreed that this should be lower. My cardio recommended losartan (cozaar) as she thinks this is the best medication for someone of my age. Apparently it may also prevent aortic aneurysms which isn't a bad thing especially after having valve+root replaced. Anyone been on this? Apparently it also has little effect on INR. She also said that Losartan can also make people feel better (more alert and improved memory)Hopefully with more exercise, healthy eating and medication this should bring it down dramatically.
I also said although I don't mind the ticking, it's a slight annoyance. She hopes reducing the blood pressure, heart rate and with more time this will be much more quiet. It's more the thumping than the ticking which is probably due to having a higher bp. My heart has had to work harder than most peoples over the last 20 years so it's bound to be pumping out with a higher pressure. I have felt a gradual reduction in this sound over the weeks.
After saying I didn't wan't another operation like this EVER again they said there are no guarantees but having a mechanical valve greatly reduces this risk and the main risk of reops can be controlled (infections, valve thrombosis).
I have to have an MRI in 6 months and from then on hopefully it will be an annual visit from then on.
