Trevor's Posts

Diagnosis: Aortic Stenosis, Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Member Since: October 15, 2018

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Trevor Woods posted an update
7 years ago (April 8, 2019)
Hello Heart Warriors, I have a question that could use your input. At my last Dr. appointment I was told that I did not need to do Cardiac Rehab. This being that I’m young, in decent shape and have a history of working out all of my life on my... Read more.
My Cardiologist recommended Cardiac Rehab and I would not recover any other way. First, your heart is monitored as you exercise and you gradually increase your activity in a monitored environment. After 3 1/2 weeks I felt so much better. I completed 2 months monitored and then continued my program... Read more.
Trevor, I was in good shape also as I went in for OHS.(Mitral Valve Repair, Bypass of the LAD, and a maze procedure). I too was given the choice of Cardiac Rehab or my own "program" afterward. The cardio and surgeon both agreed that I would recover fine either way.... Read more.
My surgeon said I didn't need to go, but I didn't know what level of exertion was appropriate for my level of recovery. I also wanted to improve my stamina as the post-op exhaustion lingered. I started very late due to scheduling constraints at my facility - three months after... Read more.
My heart surgeon did not have me go to cardiac rehab. I ran 2 miles 33 days after open heart surgery and 6 miles 41 days after surgery. I was in good physical shape going into surgery and exercise at least five days a week.
Trevor, I did it and enjoyed the security of knowing they were reading my data. That helped me better appreciate what level of exertion I could handle. (There were three instances where I asked them to check the output because I felt a little “wiggle” or irregularity.). And I also... Read more.
I was in good shape after surgery. Have always exercised. You can work out at home I went to cardiac rehab 1-2 times per week. What was beneficial to me was monitoring my heart ,blood pressure and heart rate.
Doesn't hurt to try a few sessions. If you don't experience any issues with the exercise program, no reason you can't do it on your own. My cardiologist gave me the option of whether or not to do formal rehab.
I am seven weeks post op for aortic valve replacement and went for my cardiac rehab evaluation last week and began about half hour of exercise and going back three days this week for an hour of exercise each time. I think it is important, it's not just exercise but... Read more.
I'm six weeks post op and wanting to start cardiac rehab. Both my cardiologist and surgeon recommend it. Also, my heart rate is high and gets significantly high pretty fast just walking or doing light hand weights. I would just get in trouble if I took off on my own.... Read more.
Trevor, I decided to do the rehab after 7 weeks post op. Like you I was in relatively good shape. After 5 weeks I told my nurse I want to graduate early so I finished after 6 weeks. I probably would of completed the entire 12 weeks but I did... Read more.
Just do it! Cardiac rehab was the saving grace of my recovery. So many benefits - physical, social and emotional. Too bad cardiac rehabilitation is under-utilized. Fyi, we're surgical brothers. Dr. Starnes did my valve procedure 13 years ago! I'm actually going to shoot a video with him at USC... Read more.
Hey Trevor. I am not in the position to give advice quite yet since I have not even had surgery yet, but I would think at least taking a few sessions with cardiac rehab would be great for you. This will at least see what your heart is doing when... Read more.
I agree the benefit of the EKG monitors is worth it. You will want the confidence to know that you are within limits, and that your heart is reacting well to stress. Rehab is the place to test your exertion limits. Even if you could exercise all you want with... Read more.
Do it!! I You'll gain more confidence than you'll realize. It may be a slower process than you might probably like, but overall it will give you what you need to push yourself when you are on your own, out there all by yourself exercising.
Trevor Woods posted a photo
7 years ago (March 26, 2019)
Looking pretty darn good! Be proud! You earned it! There is a lyric in a song (Matchbox 20?) that goes “now I gotta a scar I can talk about...”. That’s us!!! 👍❤️💪
That's some great healing so fast after your surgery! Looks good. Glad you figured out the problem, just in time. Thanks to the mystery person who gave you CPR when needed.
Looking good Trevor. Hope your fully recovery is going also as well
Trevor Woods posted an update
7 years ago (March 5, 2019)
Hey Heart Warriors, today marks 1 week since my surgery. I feel pretty good, and I’m taking it easy. When in the hospital, my OT suggested a goal of 30-1 hour of walking a day. I walked .75 of a mile in 20 minutes today, came home and was beat!... Read more.
👍 Dan Baltazor reacted to this
Trevor, I accumulated 1,000 minutes of walking in my first month post-op but I don’t think I ramped up as fast as you. I did several small walks per day of short duration. As I shrank the number of walks, it was because the duration was longer. I noted that... Read more.
Thank you Rob, yes that Sodium is quite sneaky. Luckily for now I really do not have a taste for it. In fact when I do taste a hint of it in a couple of my low sodium meals it has given my taste buds an uncomfortable and almost nauseating... Read more.
Trevor, it sounds like you're on the right track. Keep walking. But be gentle with yourself. You've been through something major. Naps are good. Helps your body heal. And yes, sodium is tough to avoid. Start by not adding salt to food. You'd be surprised how much you don't need... Read more.
Trevor - Walking definitely helps! I started in 10 minute intervals, multiple times per day, and eventually worked my way up to longer periods of time. You probably just overdid it a bit. In addition, exhaustion is very common after OHS, so that is likely contributing to how tired you're... Read more.
I stsrted with 8 individual 3 minute walks throughout the day. Then 6 different 4 minute walks. Then 5 x 5 and 4 x 6 and eventually 3 x 8. I made it to 20 min walks twice per day, then 3x15 and then the neighborhood I walk through overwhelmed... Read more.
Everything is normal. Of ccourse you're exhausted. Your heart is still healing. This isn't a race. Walk a little bit every day. Take naps. Breathe. You'll be fine.
You are doing it right. Walk, sleep, walk, sleep repeat. You'll regain your strength and endurance. This one kicks our butts!!!! Hang in there.

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