I just received an interesting question from Bill about heart valve surgery and cardiac rehabilitation programs.
Bill writes, “Hi Adam - I had my aortic valve replaced and the aortic root repaired. After leaving the hospital, I slept in a recliner for three weeks, had frequent dizzy spells, back spasms and felt like I was in a [...]

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I just received a great email from Dale about sternum and shoulder clicking after open heart surgery.
Dale writes, “Hi Adam - I had my surgery on November 2, 2009. The surgeon replaced my bicuspid aortic valve (with a bovine tissue valve), the root aorta, and grafted a large piece of my ascending aorta. I have [...]

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Emotions can be undeniably strong and turbulent as patients and their support groups experience heart valve surgery.
On one hand, I experienced a profound sense of appreciation and thankfulness during my recovery. Like many of you, I found myself swirling in waves of emotions that often triggered tears. In fact, the running joke with Robyn (my [...]

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Here’s a great recovery tip from Keith about using both hands after open heart surgery. Keith writes…
Hi Adam,
We have traded emails several times before. I have mainly asked you for contacts of other patients (like myself) who needed heart valve replacement following radiotherapy for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
I had my aortic valve replaced exactly one week ago [...]

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I really, really, really encourage patients to attend a cardiac rehabilitation program after heart valve surgery.
As I personally learned during my early recovery, cardiac rehab can greatly enhance the physical and mental well-being of patients while minimizing post-operative issues like cardiac depression.
New medical studies and patient stories (e.g. Charles Harrall) continue to illustrate [...]

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I just received a great question from Jenny about sleep after heart valve surgery.
Jenny writes, “Adam, I had mitral valve replacement seven days ago for regurgitation. I’m struggling a bit as I deal with the some of the post-operative challenges you address in your book. I’m really having an issue getting a good night of [...]

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One of the critcal learnings from my heart valve surgery experience was:
The patient (or their caregiver) must, at times, be tenacious. We must, at times, ask questions that may or may not be silly. We must, at times, stand up for ourselves and our hearts. Ultimately… we must, at all times, be our own, best advocate.
I am reminded [...]

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Together, as patients and caregivers, we’ve learned that the human heart can do some odd things after valve repair and valve replacement surgery. In particular, the heart can pound a little louder, the heart can beat a little faster and, if you received a mechanical valve replacement, the heart might make a clicking noise.
That said, [...]

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There is nooooooooooo doubt about it…
That first sneeze after open heart surgery can be quite uncomfortable. To help you manage the need to sneeze, Nerida just sent me an interesting recovery tip.

She writes, “Hi Adam, I am three and a half weeks post op from an aortic valve replacement with a mechanical valve. I feel [...]

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Although heart valve surgery can be a very challenging process, my research suggests that most patients look back upon their surgical experience as a transformational ticket to a “second chance” at life.
That said… Here is Robin Williams, the comedian and Oscar-award winning actor, describing his thoughts on heart valve surgery, the emotions it conjures, second [...]

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