Happy Birthday

[Stevo1979]

Happy Birthday to my new heart valve, 1 year old

[Yorkshirehead]

Hi Stevo1979,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND MANY HAPPY RETURNS!!

Mine is in its 37th year and still going strong.

[Stevo1979 in reply to Yorkshirehead]

Wow that's fantastic, I love to hear things like that, it's so reassuring

[foxglove in reply to Yorkshirehead]

Hi, I've had aortic valve replaced (TAVI procedure as I was considered to frail for open heart surgery) ..didn't feel the least bit frail ) as far as I know fairly new procedure in UK and only guaranteed 5 years but patients have been reported still being ok after 10 years. I am 80 years old and if I survived for 37 years would be some sort of record!. Would be 115 years then.

[Yorkshirehead in reply to foxglove]

From what I’ve read TAVI is a fantastic advancement in treatment of dicky tickers. When I came out of hospital after my cardiac arrest in 2011 I was told that my life expectancy was much reduced. I thought to myself “Five bonus years would be good. “ Seven years later, I am on my second pacemaker and still going strong. Mind you I am only 67. Getting to 80 would be a great result for me.

Whatever floats your boat, keep doing it while you can!!

115?? I’m not sure I want to be around then.

[Stevo1979 in reply to Yorkshirehead]

I would love at least 37 years as I was only 39 when I had my surgery.

[Yorkshirehead in reply to Stevo1979]

I was 29 with one two year old and one at eight months. It was a lot harder for my wife than it was for me.

[foxglove in reply to Yorkshirehead]

Much thanks for your encouraging reply. I've been told it is indeed a great achievement reaching 80 My trouble was I didn't feel the least bit ill before op. Was taken into hosp. after a 999call because I couldn't breathe (well had trouble breathing), was treated for chest infection for a bit till one doc. immediately suspected heart. Long story this was told my fault because I didn't present as "heart problem" I was used as a subject for drs. sitting their next cardiac exam and apparently not one of them "diagnosed" me correctly!!! I live in Wrexham but had to be sent to Broad Green hosp. Liverpool for TAVI. Was told I would feel wonderful after (I thought ...SUPERWOMAN!!!) but really felt much the same as before. Meant to say as soon as I was given oxygen for a short time breathing eased and I was taken off.

115? Me neither. You too keep doing whatever lights your candle - your but a spring chicken!!!

[Yorkshirehead in reply to foxglove]

A very interesting story. I, too, had very few symptoms before my valve was implanted. I was cycling home from work, just climbing over a hump backed canal bridge, when I suddenly had no strength in my arms. I had a similar episode, the same evening, whilst rugby training ...... and the rest is history, as they say. I believe I wouldn’t be around now if I hadn’t kept myself reasonably fit.

Superwoman, eh? I tell everyone that I am bionic, twice over, valve and ICD, just like The Six Million Dollar Man!! 😂

[foxglove in reply to Yorkshirehead]

Another interesting reply I was told it was because of being fit - even at 78 then -that I recovered so quickly. However I'm still waiting for SUPERWOMAN to take over!!!

[Yorkshirehead in reply to foxglove]

As my three year old grandson told granny, during a role play session, when he was the doctor, “Be a patient patient!”

[foxglove in reply to Yorkshirehead]

Wise grandson! My problem is I am not a patient patient!! Must learn to be!

[Heythrop51]

Happy Birthday! Maybe allow yourself a muffin with a candle?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

🎂Happy Birthday!

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

Happy Birthday!

[Sunnie2day]

Happy Birthday to the heart valve, here's a birthday wish for many, many more birthdays to come!

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Just wondering what type of valve? Bovine/porcine tissue, Inspiris Resilia tissue valve or mechanical?

[Stevo1979 in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi MichaelJH I have a mechanical valve fitted as I was only 39 when I had procedure, hopefully not have to go through it again, heard some very reassuring stories on here of the mechanical valves lasting a long time

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Stevo1979]

I agree with your choice. Someone I know who was 69 at the time decided on tissue having got (IMHO) overly concerned about the clicking. They are from along lived family and only on a beta blocker so I can see them out lasting the valve!