6 weeks post AVR update: Hello all... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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6 weeks post AVR update

•10 Replies

Hello all 😊

Hope everyone has had an enjoyable Christmas and New year?

Well, 6 weeks on and I'm feeling really well! I'm walking 90 minutes a day most days without discomfort and even had a little midnight jig around the lounge for New Year! My mood also seems a lot better which has been the most helpful part of recovery I think.

The only problem I have had is getting the warfarin level to stay above 2. It's gone under again today so I have to self inject fragmin. Today I also had a cardiac rehab appt and the lady was pleased with me - I'm doing all the right things and have no extra risk factors. I was offered a weekly exercise class but as I'm back to work soon I can't do this so she discharged me!

I do hope everyone else is recovering well.

Best wishes

Claire x

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skid112 profile image
skid112Heart Star

Great news Claire well done you happy New year to you too

Fredders profile image
Fredders

Hi Claire

Happy new year to you too.

Really pleased to hear that your recovery is going so well. You're doing well with your exercise, I haven't done as much walking as I should because I still get very breathless which is made worse if it's cold. Weird thing is I can go up the stairs several times during the day without any problem, then another time I get really breathless, very frustrating.

I have my follow up appointment at hospital next week and hope to get back to work by the end of the month.

Best wishes.

Wendy x

in reply to Fredders

Luckily I live right on the south coast and we rarely get really cold weather. Hope you improve soon. X

Rosie1066 profile image
Rosie1066

Hi Claire, I too had an AVR and have endured nine years of Warfarin level problems - some people’s level never stabilises and I am one if them. Mine can go from 2 to 4.9 in a matter of a week or so and it means I have to have INR blood tests most weeks or fortnightly. My range should be between 2.5 - 3 but very rarely stays there so my dosage of Warfarin is constantly changing. Got used to it now!

in reply to Rosie1066

My range is between 2 and 3. It shot up above 3 in hospital after one bigger dose but won't stay above 2 now! I guess I'll have to get used to it too! Thank you for your reply. X

MKB38 profile image
MKB38

Brilliant Claire, you're a very good example to us all. Very positive attitude. I'm 6 weeks post op too. I walked 2 miles yesterday with no trouble, but I don't feel so well today. Perhaps I did too much. My chest feels sore especially if I take a deep breath. I've got a cardio rehab appointment next week, so fingers crossed all is well. Best wishes for the future. Love Margaret xx

in reply to MKB38

Thank you Margaret. When I walk, I do walk fairly slowly - only have little legs anyway! In the past few days I've come down with a minor cold (well so far it's minor) and this has made the walking a little more difficult and I'm coughing a bit but this has not caused me any problems yet.

Good luck for your appointment next week. I have my follow up with the surgeon on fifteenth and them back to work if all well.

Claire xx

MKB38 profile image
MKB38 in reply to

I think I overdid it yesterday. 2 miles and 8,000 steps on the fit bit. I'm taking it steady today. I hope your cold soon passes. Take care. Love Margaret X

Claire

Now that's the kind of thing I want to be reading,so cheers to your recovery and keep up the good work and a full recovery.

I am familiar with the warfarin

But Fragmin is a total new one to Me what's the purpose of it if you please don't mind me asking.

Fragmin is an anti coagulant, like warfarin. I think it covers me whilst INR is too low. The injections are ok and I can quite easily inject myself (much to the horror of my kids!)

Hopefully INR will be in target range by my next test 😊

Best wishes

Claire

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