Post surgery 6 weeks/ Aortic valve repair, replaced accending aorta

[Scott M]

Hi all,
I'm very happy to find this forum. I'm a 41 year old active male. I've known for the past 4 1/2 years that I had a bad bicuspid aortic valve and a dialated aorta. I had been putting off going in to see another cardiologist since surgery was the only option and valve function was moderate. Recently I could tell that the valve function was deteriorating so I went in and had a echo done on 7/22 and found out that the valve was functioning at 50%. I was scheduled for surgery the following week at Stanford Med Center in CA. My surgery was performed on 7/28/06 at Stanford. Craig Miller was able to repair the bicuspid valve and replaced the accending aortic arch.

My insurance will not pay for a cardiac rehab program so I'm trying to make up my own. Since surgery I've purchased a treadmill which I started using at 3 wks post surgery. I live in Las Vegas so I didn't want to go walking 4 times a day in 100+ weather.

I was told by the rehab nurse at Stanford that I could walk as much as I wanted to (3 wks post) and that I should. I asked about maximum heart rate and she really wouldn't give me a recomendation. Originally I was told 120 bpm but not really given a time frame as to when I could exceed it. I started off for the 4th week not exceeding 120 bpm, 5th week 130bpm, 6th week 140 bpm, 7th week 140-150 bpm walking 1hr at 3.3/3.5mph at 15% grade twice a day. I do this 5 days a week. I feel really comfortable at this pace and I'm not getting winded or to tired so I guess it's ok? I would like to start running again soon, is it to early if I keep my heart rate under 160?

When I saw my cardiologist here in Las Vegas 2wks after surgery I was very disapointed, I felt rushed and was given no rehab excersise advice. Just ok we'll do an ekg to have a baseline and here's a prescription for pain, see you again in 2 months. I had to remind him that I was on Metaprolol and that it would run out before the 2 months were up. I've weaned myself off the Metaprolol after reading how tired it makes people. My BP is averaging 115/70 without it. My resting heart rate is 74, about 10bpm faster than when I was on it. I check both at least 5x a day.

Anyway thats where I am at this point. So far I'm very happy and can tell that I will feel 10 years younger when I am fully recovered.

Thanks All

 

[davidfortune]

Scott,

The fact that your cardio hasn't given you post surgery recovery instructions is inexcusable. I would call his office and require a call back with instructions. I would also call the surgeon's office and ask the same question. I would ask the surgeon for a referral to a new cardio.

Congrats on your surgery and recovery. Good luck with getting more explicit instructions.

David

 

[Scott M]

I did get some post surgery exercise instructions from the rehab nurse at Stanford prior to leaving but they were very basic. I also received a heart patient handbook which is very informative in a general way but only goes as far as how to work your way up to a 30min walk safely.

It seems to me from reading these forums that the majority of cardiologist are only going to give you very conservative advise concerning exercise and if you want to take it further that is up to you. I just don't want to take it way to far to early.

David good luck with your future surgery, sounds like you have the same problem I did. I had decided that I would go with a bovine or porcine rather than a mechanical if mine couldn't be repaired. I didn't want to have to deal with blood thinners. I figure in 10-20 years if this repair fails that there will be better options available. Feels good to have it behind me for awhile.

Take care

 

[LLJ]

Scott: Although your cardiologist acted like a *******, he probably wouldn't be too much more help in the exercise dept. Read all the old exrecise /running threads in the Active lifestyles forums. There are alot of smart people who do thoughtful research and are runners. Your comfort level is key and it seems like you may be ready for some "jogging". I started "running" (13 min miles) about 3 months post surgery. Don't expect to blow doors. Keep your heart rate about 70% heart rate max to build an endurance base. We always say here that you should start exercise as if you were a complete couch potato just to give your heart and general system time to heal. I think we all believe we are gonna do well in the long haul,it's just not screwing up short term that is the worry. Mswick has got great insight into training and hopefully he will check in as well.
Good Luck!
Remember if you don't like your cardiologist there are others! (having known about my problem since birth I've been through a few and 2 of them were keepers-I won't say what the other ones were)
Laura