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Heart Valve Survivors
updated: Sep 04, 2012, 8:26 AM

By Edhat Subscriber

This Edhater wonders how many other heart valve survivors live in the area and how it has effected their lives.

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 315877P	2012-09-04 09:11 AM
It would be helpful to explain why you're asking! (I have a friend who had a heart valve replaced some years ago and would hope to never have her experiences that are related to the valve replacement....)
COMMENT 315888	2012-09-04 09:34 AM
My grandmother had a new valve put in about 6 years ago since she obviously would have passed on without it. She did good for awhile but has done very poorly at following doctor's instructions as far as diet and exercise. So while I'm not sure why you're asking I can't stress enough how important it is to make sure you are following doctor's orders as strictly as possible. I do know of other people who have had a replacement and it has improved their lives quite a bit.
COMMENT 315903	2012-09-04 10:14 AM
2 of my close friends each had a parent who had valve replacements. All I know is that they walk a lot now.
COMMENT 315913	2012-09-04 10:49 AM
I know someone who refused a new heart valve. Sadly he passed away within a week of turning the surgery down.
COMMENT 315933P	2012-09-04 11:19 AM
Husband had his aortic valve replaced almost 15 years ago at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland Ohio. At the time they were the only ones in the US doing minimally invasive valve replacement. He has a cow valve because a mechanical valve would have required taking blood thinners for the remainder of his life. He did not want to do that for a variety of reasons. It will need to be replaced again - probably some time in the next 5 years, but the minimally invasive technique is really the only way to go. Small incision between two ribs - no split sternum. He was out of the hospital and on a plane back to SB within the week. He is fine. We will most likely go back to Cleveland for the next surgery.
COMMENT 315934	2012-09-04 11:19 AM
My mother had a mechanical valve put in over 10 yrs.ago at Cottage Hospital. She is very strict about taking blood thinning medication and avoiding aspirin and ibuprofen. She recently had hip replacement surgery and walks with a walker.She is 82. She has slowed down some, but still going pretty strong. The valve replacement definitely prolonged her life considerably and we are thankful to have her.
COMMENT 316012	2012-09-04 02:01 PM
My dad ! - Back in 1998. They said it would give him 10 years plus. Well, it's been 14 years and he's doing great. He turned 84 today. He watches what he eats, walks etc etc..
COMMENT 316179	2012-09-04 08:14 PM
"affected" their lives, "Edhater"...
YIN YANG	2012-09-04 11:25 PM
Indeed, 179, it was the first thing I thought. Again, I do believe Edhat editors write the captions. I thought correcting grammar was not allowed?
COMMENT 316241P	2012-09-05 06:56 AM
My 86 year old grandmother is a candidate for this and she doesn't want to do it. She is in ok health, a bit weak, but her doctor recommends she do it. 888 hit the nail on the head: eating well and getting some exercise is really important or the procedure won't be as effective. Funny how a lot of us have control over our health but we don't do what we know we should be doing: eat reasonably well and get appropriate exercise.
COMMENT 316264	2012-09-05 07:42 AM
One of the most impressive developments in heart valve replacement is the possibility of culturing one's own stem cells, layering them on an inert collagen latticework and growing a new valve. It is years away, but very doable. Cedars Sinai already has a successful trial involving culturing their patient's own cardiac stem cells and regenerating areas of the heart damaged by heart attacks.
COMMENT 316397	2012-09-05 11:48 AM
#179 how did you miss edhater/edhatter?
COMMENT 316597	2012-09-05 05:56 PM
I've had 2 mitral valve replacements. The first was at age 19 and the second at age 26. The first was a pig valve and lasted 7 years and was replaced with a mechanical valve. I'm required to take blood thinners for life. I've lived with it for for 26 years and have led a normal, active life. The surgeries and recoveries were long, painful and uncomfortable.
COMMENT 316977	2012-09-06 03:47 PM
as a future heart valve recipient, I subscribe to this site www dot HeartValveSurgery dot com. it is a spectacular site. check it out. It's run by a former patient turned advocate. endless information. his book is really great, too. also check out heartvalvejournals dot com
CORKY	2012-09-07 09:25 PM
My brother has had two: I think cow and pig and is still going strong at 79. Just got back from a trip to Eastern Europe with lots of walking and walks a lot in Santa Rosa, where they reside. He also rejected the mechanical one because of the need ongoing for blood thinners.

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