Susan's Posts

I bought a Withings before surgery. It showed some periods of erratic rhythyms on ECG's but mainly OK. Since surgery it shows only that I am in permanent A Fib. Fortunately, my Withings watch broke tonight and I am enjoying not being reminded off it. I'll maybe be brave and get another measuring device later when a solution is found to the A fib. 12 weeks since mitral valve replacement and tricuspid repair and it's still there!!! I'm sure the measuring devices can be useful but at the moment my head likes being in the sand! Post op next week, so I will have to face facts. Seriously, I hope you make the right choice for you.

I used to use an Apple watch and an Galaxy watch at the same time. Both are utterly bad in detecting Afib unless you use the EKG function. I still have the Galaxy watch (I use Samsung) just to measure steps, heart rate during night time, etc. Since a few months I am using the Kardia 6L. That seems to do a pretty good job but I haven't discussed it with my cardiologist yet. I never tried the Kardia Mobile but I suspect it doesn't do any better than the Apple and Galaxy watches.

I hear you, Margaret. When you’re in afib, you’re in afib, and wearing a device is not helpful in the moment. I had a Kardia once, but also had a successful cardio version by then, so the afib was not constant, and every time I suspected an arrhythmia, it was over by the time I grabbed the device to check. I have an Apple Watch now, and I think you could set its sensitivity. I told it I had afib in the past, and that makes it less sensitive. My sister set our mother’s as having no history of afib, and it did send notifications out whenever it suspected afib. In my mother’s case, the notifications were set up to be sent to my sister, so as not to add to my mother’s anxiety. My sister was getting notifications in the middle of the night. I can’t remember which kind of Kardia I had, so I can’t really compare, but Robert is probably right that Kardia 6L is most accurate of all the devices you can get as a layperson. All of that being said, if your son has afib post surgery, you will know and the doctors will know, and they will do everything they can, right there and then. Also he will be put on a blood thinner for at least a few months, regardless of the valve type, to prevent a clot. If the doctors feel the need to monitor it after he leaves the hospital, I assume they will prescribe a monitor to wear 24/7. He may never go into afib. I had afib before surgery, but not after. So, purchasing something you might never need? Maybe if you’re like me and believe in the umbrella theory - it doesn’t rain when you have an umbrella, but it pours when you leave home without one - maybe? But if it’s meant to be a just in case kind of thing, I think a pulse oximeter with a graph will be more useful. He should be checking his oxygen level regularly anyway, and the pulse graph will show any irregularities. If he develops arrhythmia after being discharged from the hospital, you should take him to ER, not wait until the doctor gets around to looking at an EKG sent remotely.

I have posted before about my medtronic under skin on chest implanted linc to detect a fib. Like a dog chip, it sends data directly to the doctor and it lasts 3 years. I liked it cuz my a fib was asymptomatic. I only had one incident and received a phone call almost immediately. Easily installed by my cardiologist and no worries about taking a shower, exercise etc etc. the medtronc salesman actually observed the installation that took 5 minutes. i began with a holter and it was really a pain to use, plus the rash was terrible. Plus, you also get a little device like a key fob you can press if something is bothering you. Insurance paid for it. An added benefit is it finds me if i escape from my pen. Lol.

Susan, I used my Kardia Mobile the day I came home from OHS aortic valve replacement and it confirmed I was having an Afib episode. I called the on-call surgery number, and they had me take a Metoprolol dose and the Afib went away. Haven't had any problems since (14 months). It was good to confirm the afib, which is what I suspected was going on.

I bought both an oximeter and Kardia mobile, before my surgery, to have on hand post surgery. I used both plus a BP monitor at home after surgery, mostly for my peace of mind(since price points were not bad). Fortunately, I never had A fib, but it was nice to check things out at home when I had those inevitable days post surgery when I didn't feel so good.

My prayers and good wishes for your sons upcoming surgery and recovery. You will never be considered as spying. You are his mom and you will always be no matter how old he gets. Its a special bond that exists that we dads will never have. I see it and accept it between nancy and our kids. I had it with my mother. Its a good thing.

I think it would be harder as a mom to go through this experience Susan. You are definitely a part of this group of warriors, as you are a warrior in the search for the best choices for your son. Wishing you and your family all the best in your journey 💞

@Rita - I could not agree more with you. When Robyn, my wife, had her brain surgery... I was a complete mess. That said, I am starting to feel like we should maybe create a "Caregivers Checklist for Heart Valve Surgery" to help all the caregivers in our community. That might help relieve some of the anxiety, stress and confusion about the patient journey. What do you think?

Susan - OHS is a team effort. I think it's every bit as hard on our loved ones - after all, we patients get all the good drugs! My husband and sister took it very hard, but they were my biggest cheerleaders right up to game day! You'll do the same for your son. Positive attitudes go a long way! ❤️