Randy's Posts

160 bpm?! I'm not getting there. :) I'm lifting (luckily can do skull crushers), walking, biking, and doing yoga. I do something every day. Heart rate during yesterday's bike ride was average 125 and max 149 (which is 90% of my age-predicted max at 56yrs). I use a Polar strap with Bluetooth during cardio.

I think you are farther along in recovery than I am but my cardiac rehab told me I shouldn't go over 85% of max heart rate for a while. I believe max heart rate is 220- age. I'm 32 so my 85% limit is 160 and I've been keeping my HR down around 140 when exercising, but I think if you are feeling good working out and not over doing it you're good. You know how much you can handle more than anyone else.

Hi Randy! Welcome to the site. Your decision to have a mechanical or tissue valve is an important one. There is a lot of information out there on the pros and cons of both and the best part is that you get to have the final say in what you get. I've known all my life that I'd need valve replacement and I always knew that I wanted a tissue valve. I'm 52 and on the 'young' side of the recommendations for a tissue valve. My thinking is that the technology is changing rapidly and that I'd be a candidate for TAVR when my valve needs replacing again in 15 to 20 years. I also needed an aortic root repair, so I went with the Medtronic Freestyle stentless tissue all-in-one aortic valve and root. I am required to take a baby aspirin daily, but no coumadin (warfarin). I'm sure that many others from this site will weigh in with their experiences. Do your research and pick what is best for you and your lifestyle.

Good post Amy. It's an individual decision which can go a lot of ways. I'm 65 and know that because of my medical problems I will go with a tissue valve. It should last 15 years give or take at my age. The mechanical valve, I've read, will last 20 to 25 years give or take but you need to be on a anticoagulant like warfarin. Do your research and decide what is best for your age, medical condition and lifestyle.

I also do not want to take warfarin. I had an AHA moment when my sister talked about how the future of our medical system might really be like down the road where "older" people might not have options (like my 89.5yo dad did last week) to have valve replacements due to costs & government control. What I have read on this site is a tissue valve is 5+ years and at 66 I might need multiple TAVR procedures. I studied the Ross Procedure too on this site and see it is OHS, but still tissue valve but with longevity between the 2.