Janet Richardson
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I am a 60 year old female who had mitral valve replacement October 1999. They replaced my leaky valve with a mechanical one made of titanium by Medtronics. Originally the plan called for valve repair but this proved to be impossible so I have been on coumadin, aspirin (low dose) and two other heart-regulating medications since the surgery. After almost a year, I am still experiencing arrhythmias of different varieties, and my cardiologist has told me he thinks I need a pacemaker due to a low heart rate. Recovery has been a long, slow process for me and I am nowhere near back up to normal strength, as I anticipated I would be by now. My pre-operative general health (except for the valve) was very good and I maintained an active lifestyle and an ideal weight. My surgery and follow-up care were provided by a group of cardiac surgeons and cardiologists associated with a medical center in northwest Arkansas where I live. No comparison shopping was done prior to surgery as the need for valve surgery became critical in a very short time period. If anyone of similar circumstances wants to correspond, feel free to contact me at the e-mail address given. |