Chuck, Like you, I had no symptoms, except a couple of unusual "heartburn" episodes, which defied diagnosis by cardiologists. Finally after a colonoscopy and gastroscopy, the gastrologist, rather than either of the highly regarded cardiologists, detected an unusual heartbeat. Diagnosis was a prolapsed mitral valve, causing a murmur. An angiogram disclosed about 70% recirculation through the mitral valve. In hindsight, (I am 57) my theoretical heart rate max is about (210 minus age = 163), I was able to sustain heart rates on the stepper at the gym of about 190 - that should have told me something. Surgery was similar to yours, open heart, to give me a "valve grind" on the mitral valve by suturing the valve to tighten up the tolerances and eliminate the recirculation. Luckily it did not need a mechanical replacement. That was in August 2003 Recovery has been excellent, with the "chest zipper" scar hardly noticeable now, and the fitness level back to a better level than that previously attainable. Max heart rate is now down to about theoretical max at around 165 before I feel discomfort or nausea. A couple of observations. One of the physical therapy excercises I was prescribed was a lung function excercise, which required sustaining exhalation into a device to keep a ball or disc in suspension in the exhalation airstream. I found that very useful in redeveloping lung function, because the surgery tended to make me restrict inhalation to avoid pain. The lung function excercise, repeated every 20 min or so, eased that pain considerably, and forced the pace of recovery. The excercise regime is essential, to recover mobility and lung and heart function. Keeping to flat terrain helps initially, followed by progressively increasing the undulation and grade of the terrain you walk. Because the open heart surgery is so protracted - about 4 hours - the level of anaesthetic in the system is substantial and takes a couple of months to be fully purged. I found that, like others with a chest zipper, I would have irregular periods of hallucination (about 2 to 10 mins duration) for up to about 3 months after the operation, with occasional occurances out to about 6 months. Now, 20 months later - I feel great, and have no limitations on lung function, nor mobility nor fitness, that I can detect. In fact I feel better than I did before the operation, and I was pretty fit then! Good luck with the recovery. Ron Deane, Brisbane, Australia *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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