cewilk
Well-known member
It has been quite a while since I have posted on here, but figured now would be a good time to get reunited back with the heartvalve forum community! 
So I had the Ross Procedure on July 30, 2012 at the age of 24. I made a great recovery and was back to doing light cardio/weight training 3-4 months after surgery. Since the operation, I have also deployed to Afghanistan and have surpassed many personal weight training goals I have set for myself and also performed well in other physical events. I'm still not as conditioned aerobically as I had wished, but I also have been making weight lifting more of a priority than cardiovascular exercise.
Today I completed my first echo since my surgery and had some pretty unexpected results. My LV was measured at 7.2 cm (which I understand is HUGE) and I was still having some pretty severe regurgitation. On a positive note, my EF was back to a normal percentage when before surgery it was in the 40%'s. My cardiologist has me scheduled for another meeting in 4 days to go over my echo more in depth after he has had time to compare from my previous echos.
So since my surgery, I have consistently experienced a few noticeable symptoms which I have just assumed to be normal for someone who's had a heart surgery. Throughout the day, I can sometimes feel my heartbeat through my chest which fluctuates in strength, sometimes thumping pretty hard and then backing off to where it's un noticable. I can also feel my pulse in odd areas such as my temple, fingers, and feet sometimes, even when resting. Also, I often feel the urge to take a deep breath and it sometimes takes me 2-4 inhalations to achieve that satisfying, full lung expansion deep breath, kinda like a yawn but not a yawn. I do have some occassionally irregularity to my heartbeat which usually returns to normal after slow, deep breathing.
Before surgery, I was experiencing diminished exercise tolerance and would have a very uncomfortable tightness of the chest and that feeling of not being able to take a full breath. Now, when running or conducting any exercise that elevates the heart rate, I feel much better and do not have those same symptoms. I do take pre-workout supplementations that contain a pretty potent blend of ingredients, but none of which I've research that have adverse affects on cardiovascular health.
Another question is alcohol consumption. I consider myself a pretty social drinker, and usually drink with friends 2-3 times a month on the weekend where I usually consume more than I should. Of course I understand the health risks of binge drinking, but from a cardiovascular health perscpective how dangerous is excessive alcohol consumption a couple times a month? I find it hard to believe that social drinking could contribute to aortic regurgitation or enlarged LV...but maybe someone can inform me otherwise.
I made a great recovery and have been living a very active lifestyle since surgery and was able to deploy to Afghanistan and carry out my duties as a Marine, which I am truly grateful for the opportunity since I didn't think it was possible when I first discovered that I needed a valve replacement. So I am just wondering if anyone else had experienced dissapointing echo results after surgery and had any similar symptoms that they considered normal that may not be normal afterall. Thanks to anyone who responds!
-Chris
So I had the Ross Procedure on July 30, 2012 at the age of 24. I made a great recovery and was back to doing light cardio/weight training 3-4 months after surgery. Since the operation, I have also deployed to Afghanistan and have surpassed many personal weight training goals I have set for myself and also performed well in other physical events. I'm still not as conditioned aerobically as I had wished, but I also have been making weight lifting more of a priority than cardiovascular exercise.
Today I completed my first echo since my surgery and had some pretty unexpected results. My LV was measured at 7.2 cm (which I understand is HUGE) and I was still having some pretty severe regurgitation. On a positive note, my EF was back to a normal percentage when before surgery it was in the 40%'s. My cardiologist has me scheduled for another meeting in 4 days to go over my echo more in depth after he has had time to compare from my previous echos.
So since my surgery, I have consistently experienced a few noticeable symptoms which I have just assumed to be normal for someone who's had a heart surgery. Throughout the day, I can sometimes feel my heartbeat through my chest which fluctuates in strength, sometimes thumping pretty hard and then backing off to where it's un noticable. I can also feel my pulse in odd areas such as my temple, fingers, and feet sometimes, even when resting. Also, I often feel the urge to take a deep breath and it sometimes takes me 2-4 inhalations to achieve that satisfying, full lung expansion deep breath, kinda like a yawn but not a yawn. I do have some occassionally irregularity to my heartbeat which usually returns to normal after slow, deep breathing.
Before surgery, I was experiencing diminished exercise tolerance and would have a very uncomfortable tightness of the chest and that feeling of not being able to take a full breath. Now, when running or conducting any exercise that elevates the heart rate, I feel much better and do not have those same symptoms. I do take pre-workout supplementations that contain a pretty potent blend of ingredients, but none of which I've research that have adverse affects on cardiovascular health.
Another question is alcohol consumption. I consider myself a pretty social drinker, and usually drink with friends 2-3 times a month on the weekend where I usually consume more than I should. Of course I understand the health risks of binge drinking, but from a cardiovascular health perscpective how dangerous is excessive alcohol consumption a couple times a month? I find it hard to believe that social drinking could contribute to aortic regurgitation or enlarged LV...but maybe someone can inform me otherwise.
I made a great recovery and have been living a very active lifestyle since surgery and was able to deploy to Afghanistan and carry out my duties as a Marine, which I am truly grateful for the opportunity since I didn't think it was possible when I first discovered that I needed a valve replacement. So I am just wondering if anyone else had experienced dissapointing echo results after surgery and had any similar symptoms that they considered normal that may not be normal afterall. Thanks to anyone who responds!
-Chris
