Heart Valve Replacement News and Info
Kelly just sent me this very insightful patient story which touches on several critical factors specific to heart valve surgery from the patient perspective. That said, I thought you might want to learn about Kelly and her surgeon, Dr. Kevin Miller. Here is what Kelly wrote to me:
Kelly Gaul - Heart Valve Replacement Patient
Hi Adam,
It’s [...]
I just received a great question from Heidi about heart valve disease, surgery and seniors.
She writes, “Adam - My mom, Betty, has recently been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis. Although her murmur was detected years ago, I never thought she would need open heart surgery. She’s 68 but acts like she’s 38. No symptoms at [...]
As many of you know, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year here in the United States.
Yes, I love gathering with my family and friends. Yes, I love turkey. Yes, I love my mom’s special gravy. Yes, I love pumpkin pie, cranberries, sweet potatoes and all the other, yummy food that will fill my [...]
Here is some great patient advice from David about (i) treating heart valve disorders in a timely fashion and (ii) being your own, best patient advocate. David wrote to me:
Hi Adam,
I’m a 55-year old man living in Maine. I just underwent aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement surgery on November 10, 2009.
I’m writing you for [...]
In 2009, many public figures, including Barbara Bush and Robin Williams, needed aortic valve replacement due to heart valve diseases including aortic stenosis. One might think that their successful results and the improvement in mortality rates would inspire patients and the medical community to view heart valve surgery as a blessing.
However, fear about the risk [...]
I don’t know about you, but I am a very visual person. For some reason, diagrams, pictures, illustrations always help me better understand concepts. As a result, I could really relate to Wendy’s question about heart valve replacement diagrams.
Wendy writes, “Hi Adam - I’m 59 and preparing for mitral valve replacement. Everybody keeps talking to [...]
As I’ve written in a prior recessionary tip… Robyn (my wife) and I are continuing to manage or eliminate costs as our local economy continues to feel the impact of “The Great Recession”.
Like many of you, we have seen our home value plummet. Yes, we did take advantage of the low interest rates by refinancing [...]
I was just reading the New York Times when I came across a very interesting study about the use of “off-pump” techniques for heart surgery.
The study, just published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests that use of heart-lung machines may actually provide enhanced surgical outcomes (inclusive of pumphead) when compared to beating heart [...]
It has been a very tough morning for me. Without a doubt, these are the hardest blogs to write.
I recently learned that Valerie Fisher Raley Moriarty passed away over the weekend due to complications following her heart valve surgery.
Valerie Fisher Raley Moriarty (1980-2009)
According to her husband, Valerie experienced multiple organ failure and a heart attack [...]
Alice just sent me a great question about incision and scar care after heart valve surgery.
She writes, “Adam, I am 55 and had open heart surgery to replace my valve about three weeks ago. Most of my scar looks OK, flat and thin. My concern is the top of the scar — around and above [...]