Susan Lynn
Happy 1st Anniversary, Mark! â¤ðŸ¾ðŸ¥‚
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Mark's Posts
Diagnosis: Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Aortic Aneurysm
Member Since: February 8, 2018
Member Since: February 8, 2018
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Mark Craven posted an update
7 years ago (February 28, 2019)
Exactly 1 year ago today (2/28) I had my surgery. I still feel myself getting better every month but now it is incrementally smaller. The doctor gave me the go ahead to lift weights and get a good muscle burn. That was such good news for me. I had no... Read more.
Marie Myers
Congrats on your Valve-Versary!
Rob Sparling
So cool! ðŸ‘
Mark Craven posted an update
7 years ago (July 26, 2018)
My OHS was on February 28th so it's been just about 5 months. I occasionally hear the clicking of my mechanical valve which is almost reassuring for me. I am used to the loud and heavy heartbeat that I hear most of the time. Sometimes I feel it in my... Read more.
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Rose Madura, Sandy Laine and
reacted to this
Congratulations Mark. Sounds like you are making some good "strides" in your healing journey. Thank you for sharing and inspiring.
Thank you! And thank you Carol for your words. Every bit of information helps!
That support group sounds like a great idea! And a lot of people have an intense awareness of their heart beating after OHS. You may find that you will get more comfortable/relaxed with it as time goes by. It will become your new normal. But I know, it's all hard.... Read more.
Mark Craven posted an update
8 years ago (April 26, 2018)
First day back at work! Yesterday 4/25 was 8 weeks recovery. After my echo cardiogram on 4/16 it was determined that I have some complications that will require a "cocktail" of meds as the doctor described it. It is do to my enlarged Left Ventricle. The cocktail is to help... Read more.
I experienced a lot of skipped beats early in my recovery. I also still experience a very strong heartbeat when inhaling deeply. Takes a bit of getting used to... I stayed on a 12.5 mg dose of atenolol that that may decrease those extra beats. Hope your post op issues... Read more.
I hope the cocktail does the trick Mark. Glad to hear your back to work!
Mark, what kind if Fitbit did you get? I think I am going to get one too. I experience my heart beat differently post surgery too. Sometimes an extra beat I think, and I swear I feel the vibration of the beats in my throat when I lay down. Weird!... Read more.
Mark, hope it all works out. Do you like the fitbit? was it a recommendation from your Dr. to get one or a personal choice? I was thinking about getting one as well just to be more aware of my HR.
Fit bit is helpful to monitor steps and heart rate if you get the Fit bit HR. Keep in mind that the heart rate, I've found is not accurate while exercising or moving around but is very accurate when resting.
My experience is similar to Rose's. During cardiac rehab when I was on the monitor - my fitbit rarely matched the machine. Sometimes higher, sometimes lower - but rarely matched. If have the fitbit HR.
Like Mark I have the Fitbit Charge 2. Voluntary, my wife bought it for me. I look at the heart rate several times a day, and although as others have posted I don't think it is as accurate as medical equipment, it trends correctly -- for example I know when... Read more.
I feel those heavy heart beats as well, with skips now and then. It's been years since OHS and I have gotten used to the way my heart beats, or as used to it as one can be...
Take care Mark.
ive been using my apple watch.. seems to more accurate than fit bit.. at least according to my doc.. I have PVCs and I can usually see the skip heart beat as I feel it.
Mark, I also have a Fitbit Charge 2. I find it good for routine activities but not for exercising because it can be off by 20 bpm or more. I use a Polar heart rate monitor with a chest strap (under $100 at Amazon) when exercising or mowing lawn (we're... Read more.
