When I was in high school I used to sense that my heart stops beating for about 5 seconds but when it starts to pump again a strong hard beat will hurt and I'll lose my sight for a minute or two. I remember just staying still until I regain it.
Search Content
Last 2004, I had a weird feeling of fatigue just by walking a few meters. I experienced high fever ranging from 38 to 40 degrees accompanying 30-minute cold chills once I sweat. The fever was on and off and my right leg was jerking - my physicians told me that it was a slight stroke.
I'd been to a series of tests but the one that helped them find out what was wrong is the TEE (transesophageal echocardiogram). That's when they finally decided to have me scheduled for a mitral valve replacement.
6 months prior to my operation, I had a dental cleaning procedure but I never took prophylaxis or an antibiotic to protect me from the bacteria that causes IE. I never knew about my heart condition before. So I strongly suggest that you take any antibiotic like amoxicillin before going through any dental procedure.
If you have a newborn child, have him undertake a series of congenital tests so help him prevent certain diseases that are left undetected for years.
I had an open-heart surgery procedure that replaced my mitral valve with a titanium prosthetic valve. It was the only option left that day, because taking medications did not suffice. After the surgery I had antibiotic treatment to fully cleanse and eradicate any trace of bacteria in my blood stream.
Among the antibiotics I took were penicillin and vancomycin through IV - they were really expensive and painful because they are highly concentrated antibiotics. My fever never left until June 6, 2004 after all treatment had been placed. For reference on these medications see this link: http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/bugdrug/antibiotic_manual/vanco.htm
I regulate certain food groups that will conflict my Coumadin intake and those high in Potassium of Vitamin K, like bananas, papaya, broccoli etc. See this link for foods high in potassium content:
http://www.weightlossforall.com/
Regular check-ups to my Cardiologist really help in constantly monitoring my heart condition after a surgical procedure.
During my first year of recuperation I've gone through echocardiogarphy or 2D echo and a TEE (Transesophageal echocardiography) to check if the vegetation found in the mitral valve has indeed been eradicated from my bloodstream and to see any irregularity in my prosthetic heart valve.
http://cmbi.bjmu.edu.cn/default_en.htm
2D echo helps the cardiologist to assess the heart's function; to determine the presence of disease of the heart muscle, valves and pericardium, heart tumors, and congenital heart disease; to evaluate the effectiveness of medical or surgical treatments and to follow the progress of valve disease.
TEE is often used when the results from standard echo tests are not sufficient, or when your doctor wants a closer look at your heart. Refer to the site for more information:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/transesophageal_echocardiography…
Aside from the lifetime medication of blood thinner - Warfarin or Coumadin - I see to it that I have a monthly protime check to regulate my INR and maintain a range of 2.0-2.50.
People like me who have undergone a heart surgery usually suffer from temporary depression. I remember at that time I was so anxious to matter and make myself useful. I'm unemployed because whenever I apply for position to a certain company I usually fail on medical exams
It's good to have warm support from family and friends and now I'm doing well on my online business. I'm an artist and I just sell my paintings online. I'm quite preoccupied too with online job opportunities.
You only have to remember to stay positive in all aspects of life. You are given another opportunity to make things better so make each step until you reach the top. In life you don't need to see the end of the stairs what really matters is for you to make a step because each one you make leads you closer to your goal.
Exercise regularly, walk every morning and keep yourself busy so you won't think about it that much. In time you'll know that you're on your way to success. Remember that you're still normal, you still have your hands and feet, you have a heart that will outlive you for ages. Engage in activities that motivate you to live a better life each day.
For women, I'm glad that we can still afford to have a healthy baby if our condition and pregnancy is constantly monitored. You may not be able to deliver in a normal way but at least there are cases of successful mothers with the same heart condition who are able to raise a child that they can grow old with.
I'm still on the process of saving enough money for my future pregnancy because the injectibles that will temporarily replace my coumadin intake are very expensive. Just remember that life continues the moment you decided to go on. http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/heart/2006/08/31/managing-cong…
You only have to remember to stay positive in all aspects of life. You are given another opportunity to make things better so make each step until you reach the top. In life you don't need to see the end of the stairs what really matters is for you to make a step because each one you make leads you closer to your goal.