getting sick post op

[tsanjose]

here's a sort of random question... i was told that since i'm now a heart patient, getting sick puts me in the "high risk" category. i know for some bug like strep or even a very bad flu can be very concerning.

i have a daughter in kindergarten and she brought a nasty cold home last week. it's mostly chest congestion with a nasty cough. i went to urgent care earlier in the week and was prescribed cefdinir (an antibiotic that doesn't cause arrythmias) just in case it's bacterial.

my question is, aside from the bug developing into something more serious like pneumonia or something, what else makes us more "high risk"?

for example: has anyone heard of excessive and violent coughing causing any issues with a newly rebuilt heart?

 

[Zoltania]

Hi tsanjose,

I also had mitral valve repair, and none of my doctors -- not cardiologist, surgeon, or internist -- have said that there is anything to worry about for me in terms of getting sick. For the first 3 months my surgeon wanted me to be careful about anything that would strain the healing valve, such as lifting more than 5-10 lbs. or blowing on a wind instrument, especially anything that involves straining while holding one's breath. But after that I was told I can do whatever feels comfortable. You're at almost 3 months out so I imagine you would be fine even if you had "excessive and violent coughing."

 

[tsanjose]

Zoltania thanks for the reply and good to hear! hey btw, i noticed you're in the bay area, so am i. are you aware of any support groups locally besides what's online? i'm still doing the cardiac rehab thing and find it very helpful to share stories with others in the same situation. the only thing is most of the people in my class are bypass and replacement patients. would love to connect with those who've had a repair done.

 

[Zoltania]

I've responded via private message. There are definitely MV repair patients here, though the Bad-Ass Valve crowd is larger.

 

[tsanjose]

i think i just jinxed myself... today i started to feel crappier and crappier. to the point now, i'm running a low fever of 101.2.

i noticed that my HR is hovering around 100-106 while i'm just laying down. i've read fighting off a bug does elevate your HR. anyone else experience this?

 

[dick0236]

There is no way that you can guard 100% against illness. Keep your flu, pheumonia(sp?), tetanus shots etc up to date and see a doctor whenever you suspect "strep" or other infection. I have had some bad colds/coughs that have never posed an unusual problem for me.

 

[Paleowoman]

Having a raised temperature elevates heart rate. A cold or flu is a virus so all the antibiotics in the world won't fight that, but a virus shouldn't affect your heart adversely AFAIK. Just watch out for bacterial infection, though it can be difficult to work out which is which. What's a real pain when you get a cold or flu soon after surgery is when you sneeze or cough - remember to hold a pillow or rolled up towel against your chest when that happens or it's very painful indeed.

 

[JulienDu]

Do not follow my examples but ..

I had a repair done when i was 10. Until I was 14 my parents were very careful to give my antibiotic when I was sick. From 15 to 29 I completely ignored my heart situation. I would get very sick, would get strong fever and I would never take any medicine. I would just sit close to the fire, eat a soup wait for the fever to pass. I never had any infection at my valve. Maybe I was dumb and young but I trusted my boddy to fight back and build up the immune system.

I am not giving you an advice to do the same cause I think it was kind of stupid but I would say like the other poster to try stop worrying and find a middle ground cause thinking too much about a risk can increase it.

 

[dornole]

Mitral valve repair here too. I'm supposed to watch out for strep since I had rheumatic fever, and I'm supposed to get the pneumonia and flu shots and take pre-antibiotics for certain kinds of surgeries and procedures. I also look out for petechiae and in general just try to err on the side of going in more than before, even though the front-line at the urgent care always get agitated by my chart and wake up the attending doc who tells everyone to calm down and treat me like a normal medically boring person.