Ted just sent me an email that rekindled a memory about my stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) following heart valve surgery.
He writes, “Adam – My wife is going in for aortic valve replacement next week. I want to support her morning, noon and night. Do you know if I will be able to [...]

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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 [...]

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I just received this insightful email from Steve, who recently had heart valve surgery. I thought you might really enjoy it… So, here it is:

Steve Miller -Heart Valve Replacement Patient
Dear Adam -  Congratulations on getting that article published in The Chicago Tribune! Also, thank you for writing such an informative and helpful book. I [...]

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I just received an interesting question from Nicole about sleeping on your stomach after open heart surgery.
Nicole writes, “Adam – I had my mitral valve repaired 2 weeks ago. The surgeon used a sternotomy, so my chest is still sore. I’m a tummy sleeper, so I’m not sleeping well. How long until I [...]

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I just received a question from Dave about the use of stockings, the intensive care unit and heart valve surgery.
Dave writes, “Adam – The time is here. I’m going in for mitral valve repair (not replacement I hope) due to severe mitral regurgitation and an enlarged heart. Yesterday, I was at a barbecue when a [...]

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I was just surfing the Internet when I came across a furry teddy bear designed for… Yes, you guessed it…. Recovering open heart surgery patients.
After rubbing my eyes (and shaking my head a bit), I then noticed the teddy bear had a little zipper on his chest that opened to reveal a stitched heart.

On one [...]

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I just received a great question from Mark that relates to cardiac depression after heart valve surgery.

Mark writes, “Adam - Thanks for your book and website. It’s pretty amazing what you have done for so many patients who need heart valve surgery. As for my question, I am nine weeks post-surgery. I feel like my [...]

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I just read in her Heart Valve Journal that Penny McIntosh has seen her recovery get “back on track” after a few post-operative complications including atrial fibrillation and fluid in her lungs. As you may know, Penny had mitral and tricuspid valve repairs and a MAZE procedure performed on February 26, 2010.

Penny McIntosh - Double [...]

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Patients and caregivers often ask me about the immediate, post-op experience in the intensive care unit. Common questions include:

How long were you in the intensive care unit?
Did you experience pain immediately?
Was your family allowed in the ICU area?
How many tubes were sticking out of you when you woke up?

However, one of more common questions I [...]

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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 [...]

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