Cardiac surgery recovery

Steve, I'm sorry to hear that you'll be facing surgery. Although it's major surgery, it's a pretty common one that most people come through very well. It just takes time (patients need patience). Per your request, here's more information about my particular situation. I hope that there is some useful information here.... The first sign of my mitral valve problem was noted as a heart murmur about 5 years ago. I eventually saw a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic Rochester (I live in Rochester), who diagnosed this as mitral valve prolapse and regurgitation from the results of an echocardiogram. Although not considered serious at that time, it was decided to repeat the test approximately yearly to monitor the situation. Last April, the situation was observed to have worsened significantly, despite the fact that there were no outward symptoms (e.g., still swimming laps, speed-walking and doing chores regularly, with no noticeable added effort). It was recommended that I see a surgeon at Mayo, who recommended that I have the surgery within the next 6 months while I was still otherwise fit and healthy (it was predicted that having the operation within this window of time would greatly improve my recovery rate). The chances of significant heart-related problems were predicted to increase if surgery wasn't pursued in a timely fashion. I opted to get it over with ASAP. I had regular through-the-sternum open-heart surgery on July 7. Fortunately, the Mayo surgeon was able to repair the valve rather than having to replace it. An angiogram prior to surgery revealed no need for a by-pass. The operation went very well. I was up and (slowly) walking the day after surgery, going faster and/or farther on subsequent days. Because so many of the upper body muscles connect to the sternum, I lost considerable upper body muscle tone over the six weeks in which I was subjected to a weight-lifting limit (to protect the sternum). Now that the limits have expired, I'm seeing my muscle tone improve, but more work is required. I've received good guidance on exercises from various sources (e.g., Mayo's cardiac rehab, cardiologist and physical therapist friends). Being fit before the surgery and being very motivated have helped. Unfortunately, I was one of the rare patients who ends up contracting an infection that was noted 2-3 days after surgery. This was serious enough that I spent an extra 11 days in the hospital. As part of the cure, the surface layer of part of my incision was reopened. I must still wait for the last scabbed area to heal before I can return to swimming -- boy, has it been hard waiting. There has been at least one string of posts at this discussion board about resting heart rate -- so I'll add something about my status. Prior to surgery, my resting heart rate was in the upper 40s. Now it's around 80. I've been told that one should expect some increase due to the heart having gone through some significant trauma; this increase should dissipate with time. But I don't think that that explains all of the big increase. Hopefully, my family doctor is right --- lap swimming will eventually bring my resting pulse back down again. Please let me know if you'd like more information.

Steve, I'm sorry to hear that you'll be facing surgery. Although it's major surgery, it's a pretty common one that most people come through very well. It just takes time (patients need patience). Per your request, here's more information about my particular situation. I hope that there is some useful information here.... The first sign of my mitral valve problem was noted as a heart murmur about 5 years ago. I eventually saw a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic Rochester (I live in Rochester), who diagnosed this as mitral valve prolapse and regurgitation from the results of an echocardiogram. Although not considered serious at that time, it was decided to repeat the test approximately yearly to monitor the situation. Last April, the situation was observed to have worsened significantly, despite the fact that there were no outward symptoms (e.g., still swimming laps, speed-walking and doing chores regularly, with no noticeable added effort). It was recommended that I see a surgeon at Mayo, who recommended that I have the surgery within the next 6 months while I was still otherwise fit and healthy (it was predicted that having the operation within this window of time would greatly improve my recovery rate). The chances of significant heart-related problems were predicted to increase if surgery wasn't pursued in a timely fashion. I opted to get it over with ASAP. I had regular through-the-sternum open-heart surgery on July 7. Fortunately, the Mayo surgeon was able to repair the valve rather than having to replace it. An angiogram prior to surgery revealed no need for a by-pass. The operation went very well. I was up and (slowly) walking the day after surgery, going faster and/or farther on subsequent days. Because so many of the upper body muscles connect to the sternum, I lost considerable upper body muscle tone over the six weeks in which I was subjected to a weight-lifting limit (to protect the sternum). Now that the limits have expired, I'm seeing my muscle tone improve, but more work is required. I've received good guidance on exercises from various sources (e.g., Mayo's cardiac rehab, cardiologist and physical therapist friends). Being fit before the surgery and being very motivated have helped. Unfortunately, I was one of the rare patients who ends up contracting an infection that was noted 2-3 days after surgery. This was serious enough that I spent an extra 11 days in the hospital. As part of the cure, the surface layer of part of my incision was reopened. I must still wait for the last scabbed area to heal before I can return to swimming -- boy, has it been hard waiting. There has been at least one string of posts at this discussion board about resting heart rate -- so I'll add something about my status. Prior to surgery, my resting heart rate was in the upper 40s. Now it's around 80. I've been told that one should expect some increase due to the heart having gone through some significant trauma; this increase should dissipate with time. But I don't think that that explains all of the big increase. Hopefully, my family doctor is right --- lap swimming will eventually bring my resting pulse back down again. Please let me know if you'd like more information.