General Discussion Triathlon Talk » !st tri after new heartvalve fitted Rss Feed  
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2015-03-28 6:00 PM

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Subject: !st tri after new heartvalve fitted
Had a new valve fitted 20 months ago and I really missed doing triathlons. So I been training, not to hard just keeping going and signed up for a tri today. Just a sprint, last time I did the race I clocked 1.09 , in the FOP of the older guys. So there I was, me and another 999 people going in 5 waves I was in wave 3. I would be lying to say I was not apprehensive. I still have a problem with heart rate going to high too quickly and I really did not want to get involved with the bunfight that would be the swim start

Just kept to the side of the bundle and to my horror I began passing people before first buoy. I really did not want to overdo the swim but as long as I was comfy and breathing easily I thought what the heck, keep going. Got out of the water 9.42min later with a HR of 115, ( used to be 186 before the op ) slow jog to T1 get the bike go to the mount line. Just started easy and made sure I spun all the way. Draft legal race. Passed a few guys and was passed by a few. After a while the faster ladies started passing me and that opened up a whole new world to me...Pace booty...Oh the humanity.

Just kept going with one eye on the HR but it never really went to high, Back in T2, and started on the run, mindful of the HR and made sure I glanced at it every lamppost, it crept up a bit an the hilly parts of the run but never high enough to be a concern, just kept ticking over at a steady pace. Clocked 1.28 , collected my medal, drank my free glass of coke and went home a happy man.


2015-03-28 7:22 PM
in reply to: kocourek

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Subject: RE: !st tri after new heartvalve fitted

Congrats , that's great!

2015-03-28 8:24 PM
in reply to: Goggles Pizzano

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Subject: RE: !st tri after new heartvalve fitted
That is awesome, congrats on the return to racing.
2015-03-28 9:16 PM
in reply to: kocourek

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Subject: RE: !st tri after new heartvalve fitted
Nice work! It must feel great. The bicuspid aortic valve that I was born with is still working well, but it's nice to know that it's possible to be active after an upgrade if I should ever need one.
Don
2015-03-28 9:26 PM
in reply to: #5104324

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Subject: RE: !st tri after new heartvalve fitted
That's a cool story. Congrats!
2015-03-28 10:33 PM
in reply to: JoelO

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Subject: RE: !st tri after new heartvalve fitted
Congrats - you deserve a lot of respect.


2015-03-29 5:58 AM
in reply to: kocourek

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Subject: RE: !st tri after new heartvalve fitted

Congrats.  Good to have you back.  Sounds like you're doing well.

Mark

2015-03-29 6:19 AM
in reply to: kocourek


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Subject: RE: !st tri after new heartvalve fitted
Great writeup, awesome job! I'm sure you'll keep it going . . .
2015-03-29 7:48 AM
in reply to: donw

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Subject: RE: !st tri after new heartvalve fitted
Takes a wee bit of time to get over the effects of some guy taking a grinder to your chest. I am definitely slower during exercise but day to day life, much better. Quality of life is what its all about and after the new valve its much better. Just make sure you go early for the op, permanent damage may be caused to your heart if you leave it for to long.
2015-03-29 9:02 AM
in reply to: kocourek

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Subject: RE: !st tri after new heartvalve fitted
I got my mitral valve repaired four years ago, and did my first "after" tri about 16 months later. I can identify...except I don't pass many folks on the swim (or bike!). Just two weeks ago did my first marathon at age 58. The surgery was indeed a life gift, for which I am truly grateful. Glad to hear your procedure went well. Which valve, and what kind did you get? Good post!
John
2015-03-29 9:22 AM
in reply to: jbrookscga78

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Subject: RE: !st tri after new heartvalve fitted
Yep another mitral valve here. I had a mechanical valve fitted as the tissue ones last maybe 15 years and by then I will be in my late 60's. Not looking for another invasive procedure at that age. So it just the added hassle of the Coumadin and checking blood levels every 4-6 weeks. I do believe that there is medication in the pipeline that will give us the freedom not to go for the 4 weekly INR test. Works for tissue valves but not for mechanical ones.

Now marathon running is something that might interest me...As long as the course is flat. I find that hilly rides and runs are not my forte anymore.
Are you tissue or mechanical valve?


2015-03-29 10:14 AM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: !st tri after new heartvalve fitted

This should be in the gear reviews section no? lol
Love the inspiring story that so much is possible.




...ahhhh....pace booty

Edited by TJHammer 2015-03-29 10:14 AM
2015-03-29 7:13 PM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: !st tri after new heartvalve fitted
I've still got my original equipment mitral valve. I got Dr. Chitwood's "haircut technique" where he trimmed the excess flap, installed some twine to replace the flailing chords, and put a "c ring" in the valve opening to keep it from stretching open and allowing too much regurg. Check it out on youtube. I was certainly blessed to not need the valve replaced, so I don't have to take Coumadin (I did for 3 months prior to the surgery). If I had needed a new valve during surgery, it would have been the mechanical one like you got, so that I wouldn't need the pig valve replacement 15 years down the line.
John

Edited by jbrookscga78 2015-03-29 7:14 PM
2015-03-29 11:38 PM
in reply to: TJHammer

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Subject: RE: !st tri after new heartvalve fitted
Originally posted by TJHammer


This should be in the gear reviews section no? lol
Love the inspiring story that so much is possible.




  • ..ahhhh....pace booty


  • haha, YES!
    2015-03-30 10:32 AM
    in reply to: kocourek

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    Subject: RE: !st tri after new heartvalve fitted

    Originally posted by kocourek Yep another mitral valve here. I had a mechanical valve fitted as the tissue ones last maybe 15 years and by then I will be in my late 60's. Not looking for another invasive procedure at that age. So it just the added hassle of the Coumadin and checking blood levels every 4-6 weeks. I do believe that there is medication in the pipeline that will give us the freedom not to go for the 4 weekly INR test. Works for tissue valves but not for mechanical ones. Now marathon running is something that might interest me...As long as the course is flat. I find that hilly rides and runs are not my forte anymore. Are you tissue or mechanical valve?

     

    I chose a mechanical aortic valve for the same reasons.  I was 47 when I got it and didn't want to face the prospect of multiple repeat surgeries down the road to replace tissue valves.  Fortunately Coumadin/Warfarin has pretty much been a non-issue for me.  My INR has always been pretty stable and I only get tested every six weeks as long as I'm in range.

    Coming up on my 15th anniversary later this year.

    Mark

     

    2015-03-30 10:37 AM
    in reply to: kocourek

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    Subject: RE: !st tri after new heartvalve fitted
    Congrats, well done

    You are certainly more adventurous then I think I would be after a heart valve replacement, while I could see myself continuing to train , I am not sure I could convince myself to jump into a race situation. Good Luck


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