Cleveland Heart Center's forum to reopen soon for questions

Cardiologists from the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center will start answering new questions as soon as the forum reopens. The CCF Heart Center is the #1 Heart Center in America for 15 consecutive years.  (source: US News & World Report).  This forum gives MedHelp members FREE access to cardiologists at the #1 Heart Center in America.  

[kenkeith]

Our heart forum has now reopened and the forum will take heart related questions.

[Mrs_Spock]

I need to have an aortic valve replaced.  I am 57 and I'm very active as far as exercise goes...I try to workout at least 30 min a day on the treadmill or something that gets my heart rate up a little.  I would love to avoid Coumadin but I don't want to do this again in 10 years.  I don't see the surgeon again for  about 6 mo because I want to put this off a little.  Is there a mechanical valve that doesn't require coumadin forever.  I wouldn't mind for a short time but forever is terrible for me because I am so active.  I ride motorcycles and I'm active out doors and I am know I shouldn't do alot of what I do if I was on this drug.  Any suggestions??  I appreciate your time and advice.

Jeri

[kenkeith]

The link will give you access to the Cleveland Heart Clinic and a response from a doctor.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Heart-Disease/show/114

Mechanical valves have a tendancy to clot. You can get an answer from the link provided, and good advice.  There may have been some recent developments that may be relevant to the issue you are concerned.  

A feedback regarding whether or not you have received helpful information would be appreciated.  Thanks for the question, take care.

[Mrs_Spock]

Thanks for you response....I tried but I have to try again tomorrow so I will do that.  Thanks and I will watch for feedback and answer it.

Jeri

[Mrs_Spock]

I have been attempting to post this questions since the 6th, and it still hasn't allowed me to do so.  Please advise.
Thanks so much,
Jeri

[kenkeith]

Jeri, I will get back to you as I have asked for an explanation!

QUOTE: " I would love to avoid Coumadin but I don't want to do this again in 10 years".  

>>>>>I have received information that there is now a new drug (Predaxa) that replaces Coumadin, and it doesn't require the weekly tests, visits, etc. ascociation with Coumadin.  Thanks for your response.

[kenkeith]

It seems the daily quota for questions have been reached on the occasions you have tried to get a response. Probably if you keep trying and try different times of the day there may be some success.  Sorry for the inconvenience.

[Mrs_Spock]

Thanks....I will try to get online earlier in the day.....I appreciate your time.

Jeri

[Mrs_Spock]

The Predexa sounds great....thanks for that info.

[Mrs_Spock]

One other thing that I neglected to ask is what makes a TAA larger???  I have one that is 3.8 cm.  The surgeon's PA did not sound concerned as it was smaller than 5 cm.  That is why I am permitted to wait til March to have the valve replaced.  But will this TAA grow anymore?  What should I avoid?   She told me to continue to workout on the treadmill as long as I keep my METS under 7 which I have to anyway.  In the past, I used to get my METS up to 10.  Now if I even reach 7, I am out of breath....have runs of SVT and  heavy in my chest.  But I was concerned about this TAA growing.  What is your opinion??  Thanks so much for your time.

Jeri

[kenkeith]

For a perspective, if the thoracic aorta is greater than 3.5 cm it is generally considered dilated and greater than 4.5 it is medically considered an aneurysm. Because there are variances with individuals, it may be better to consider a dilated aorta when the size is greater than 150% of the normal diameter for the given segment if known..

Sometimes there is vessel tissue disease that may be the underlying cause for an aorta aneursym, and there usually is concern when the dilated aorta increases in size of 0.05 cm per year. Treatment would be keep blood pressure under control, and avoid any heavy lifting that may cause a spike in the blood pressure.

I go by METs as well when exercising on the treadmill.  I do a brisk walk for about 20 minutes...3.5 METs.  Ten METs is good.  About 6 years ago, my stress test was stopped at 7 METs by the tech due what was observed on the monitor....I have known ischemia so it was not unexpected.  You may want to consult with your doctor regarding the results of your treadmill exercise.

Thanks for the question.  Take care.

[fogged_in]

I was wondering if you could help with my question, regarding causes for ck-mb ratio over 11 percent with negative troponin, that is listed on the heart disease forum. Thank you (also, I am a 42 yr. old female)

[kenkeith]

Please do not post to this thread unless there is some feedback regarding the helpfulness of the Cleveland Clinic's response that you may want to discuss.  Almost always there are no followup questions answered on the expert forum, but you as a member are welcome to followup on this forum, and we will try to provide helpful information Thank you.