Cindy just sent me this great email. Given her unique story, I thought you might really enjoy it. Hi Adam, I have written you before about the recovery from heart valve surgery. We exchanged emails about when you really felt healed. Last year, I had mitral and tricuspid valve repair by Dr. David Adams in New York [...]

I just received an interesting question from Jenny about the size of a mechanical heart valve replacement. Jenny writes to me, “Adam – Like many patients on your blog, I’m preparing for aortic valve replacement. I’m young, 29, with a bicuspid aortic valve that has severe stenosis. I’m thinking a mechanical valve is the best option [...]

Every once in a while I see a product that makes me think, “Huh?”, “What?”, “No way!”, “Can’t be!” and “Really?” The last time I had that thought was when the marketeers at Chia America released… Chia Obama. Today, I find myself thinking, “Huh?”, “What?”, “No way!”, “Can’t be!” and “Really?!” once again. Those thoughts triggered when [...]

Here’s a great question from Bruce about mitral valve repairs, annuloplasty rings and post-operative complications. Bruce writes, “Hi Adam, I read your book about a year ago, before my surgery, and have faithfully read your newsletter. What have you ever heard about patients who had mitral valve repairs via open heart surgery and afterwards find the [...]

Jim just sent me this question about post-operative echocardiograms. He writes, “Adam – How often should an echocardiogram be performed after surgery. I had my aortic valve replaced. Thanks, Jim” As I’ve shared before, each patient situation is unique. However, unless there are post-operative complications, many of the patients I speak with have an echocardiogram performed [...]

Some really interesting patient stories continue to fill up my inbox. Here’s a great one from Don about his new mission saving dogs after mitral valve replacement. Don Hull, Heart Valve Replacement Patient, With Hooch Hey Adam, I recently regained my Special Issuance Class III FAA medical certificate which allows me to fly my airplane as a private [...]

I just received a very unique question from Barb about carcinoid tumor injections and bovine heart valve replacements. Barb writes to me: Bovine Aortic Valve Replacement Hi Adam, First, I’d like to express my appreciation to you for your very informative book and emails.  I am a 54-year-old woman who was aware of aortic valve stenosis since the [...]

This is quite interesting… When Doris Snyder celebrated her 102nd birthday on August 10, she was that much closer to the expected birth of her first great-granddaughter who’s due to arrive early September. She is very excited about the milestone, which might not have been possible were it not for a cutting-edge, experimental procedure that replaced [...]

I always enjoy reading patient success stories. However, this update really made me think, “Fannnnn-tasssss-tic!”. Specifically, I like the way Chaz utilizes a “Before and After” approach to describe his heart valve replacement experience: Hi Adam: It has been awhile since I have written you, but I still avidly follow your magical blog. Last week, I began my [...]

Here’s an interesting question from Julie about heart valve stenosis and enlarged hearts. Julie writes to me, “Adam – Like you, I was diagnosed with heart valve stenosis and an enlarged heart. I’m just curious. How big can a dilated heart get before failure? 20% bigger? 50% bigger? Any thoughts? Thanks, Julie” I wanted an expert opinion [...]