Aortic Valve Replacement--anyone had?

[sanuk711]

I have had this since I was a child----but managed to live a healthy life with Squash/football/ weights/lots of cardio.

The last year I have had two heart failures ---not heart attacks, one while running.

I have cut back on exercise a lot.

The General hospital in my City (Udon Thani) seems to think I should have this done ASAP. I was consulting them for a hip replacement, but they wanted to do (& did) a heart scan

 

The Queen Siriket Heart hospital Khon Kean -- which I have been going to for about 7 years (3 times a year to check) say you don't have to do it now--but put some consideration into the fact that your 73 now, do you want to wait until your 78--80 then have open heart operation.

 

I was just on just 6mg Dilatrend Twice a day.....& a Diuretic, The Local hospital added  2 mg Warfarin daily also.

 

Usually my outlook on most medical matters is --"Don''t cut unless you really have to" but I am little confused on this one.

 

So looking for advice--anyone had the opp or in the same position...etc ..etc

[Sheryl]

Aortic valve disease is progressive over time.

 

Surgery is ususlly indicated if you are symptomatic (having to curtail exetcise suggests you are but not yet severely if having no symptoms during ordinary tasks of daily life)  or have a Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction less than 50%.

 

The point about operating now to avoid having to do it later when older and not as good a surgical risk is valid. The disease does progress.

 

It is now possible to do this through a minimally invasive approach (transcatheter) instead of open heart surgery. I don't jnow if Khon Ksen can do this, if not would be worth coming to Bangkok for it.

[sanuk711]

Hi Sheryl

thanks--I have been looking at some of the latest innovations on YouTube---I have to see Khon K on the 19th will ask them how it stacks up against what they have. I know they do not have transcatheter.. One of the main things that does worry me is the cutting of the breast plate

What BKK Hospital do you think would have the latest or best equipment for this.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

[Sheryl]

Among government hospitals, I know Siriraj Heart Center and Chulalongkorn Cardiac Center both do it (transcatheter); Siriraj was the first to do it in Thailand

 

http://www.chulacardiaccenter.org/en/services/adult-cardiology/transcatheter-aortic-valve-implantation-tavi

If you can afford private or have insurance, so does Bangkok Hospital, Bumrungrad, Samitivej and Phyathai 2 all offer it, probably so do others.

 

They all have adequate equipment, equipment is not what to be concerned about. The important thing is the experience of the doctor and team performing it.

 

The top doctor for this in Thailand is Prof. Pranya Sakiyalak who can be seen at Siriraj or at Bangkoko Hospital. He is a US trained, US board certified thoracic surgeon and was the first to do a TAVI in Thailand.

https://www.bangkokhospital.com/en/doctor/dr-pranya-sakiyalak

At Siriraj you have choice of public channel (with much of thei nteractioin being wioth interns/residents) and private channel where you can be treated directly by senior doctor. the private channel is https://www.siphhospital.com/en/medical-services/find-doctor?doctor_id=260&medical_id=0&day=&startTime=&endTime= Will cost about 20% less than Bangkok Hospital etc but still of course more than the public channel

 

If you go through public channel I am not sure you can get TAVI on demand, they may restrict it to patients with contraindications to surgery. In a private hospital or Sirirj private channel should be able to request it which is what I would certainly do. It has become pretty standard in the west.  No chest incision, minimal down time.

[Inepto Cracy]

I was 28 % after my 13th heart attack. In feb this year I am now up to 59% output. What was so miraculous, well it begins with a C and the next word ends in an L.

Mention that to cardiac surgeons here and they die inside.

Its all about money, your health is not important.

Send me a private message, I will tell you all about it.

[sanuk711]

10 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Among government hospitals

Thanks for all the jnfo Sheryl, I really appreciate it..  I didn't want to do BKK, but in reality I thought I probably would be.

 

Not so much the operation, but after care---when they say to you OK come back next week & next week & next week/or in 10 days...etc.... Its a bit of a struggle from Udon Thani in the good times, dreadful at the moment.

[simon43]

On 8/12/2020 at 11:28 PM, Inepto Cracy said:

I was 28 % after my 13th heart attack. In feb this year I am now up to 59% output. What was so miraculous, well it begins with a C and the next word ends in an L.

Mention that to cardiac surgeons here and they die inside.

Its all about money, your health is not important.

Send me a private message, I will tell you all about it.

What a useless post!  Stop playing games and provide the 2 words in open forum so that we can judge whether this is a serious post, or a post from a nutter ........

 

Jeez, some adults are like babies!

[sanuk711]

Wish I could help you Simon43---I did write to inepto Cracy that day.

 

Maybe he has a lot of commitments, but I am hoping he will find the time to answer.

[tonray]

6 minutes ago, sanuk711 said:

Wish I could help you Simon43---I did write to inepto Cracy that day.

 

Maybe he has a lot of commitments, but I am hoping he will find the time to answer.

He doesn't have any miracle cure...he's probably touting Cannabis Oil...which will not fix your heart problems.....just make youy forget about them I guess

[sanuk711]

 

8 minutes ago, tonray said:

He doesn't have any miracle cure...he's probably touting Cannabis Oil...which will not fix your heart problems.....just make youy forget about them I guess

OK tonray,  thanks for the input, I will try to give him the benefit of the doubt & hope he contacts me----to be honest this whole heart thing scares the life out of me -- I have just got to stop watching it all on YouTube..............

 

** C & L......you must be good at crosswords.

[stephenterry]

Sanuk, I'm sorry to hear about your heart condition and your future concerns. I will add at this stage that once you are able to accept - even acknowledge - your mortality, stress and sleepless nights disappear. It's what will happen to all of us, and I'm older and wiser than you.

 

Preaching over, Sheryl's most helpful suggestions which involves non invasive medical techniques is the way to go. You're very fortunate living in an age where advanced medical treatment is first-class. 

 

I would also suggest following a Whole Food Plant Based nutrition regime for maximum heart benefits as I have done. It's the best lifestyle deal on the planet.  

 

Whatever you decide, my best wishes for a better future.

steve.

 

 

 

[sanuk711]

1 hour ago, stephenterry said:

Whatever you decide, my best wishes for a better future.

steve.

Thanks Steve I appreciate it.

Death at my age isn't as scary to me as a life with lots of limitations. (Strokes that can come with heart problems etc)

 

[izod10]

TAVI   try India  medifee.com  well practised procedure a lot cheaper too  However not approachable yet (covid)  holding my own breath to re-opening,just want to get over there for host of medical reasons

[Sheryl]

Looks like you're in for a long wait. Cases still rising in India.

 

 

[sanuk711]

Thanks for the info izod10....... I don't know how much after care you need for this sort of opp

 

Sheryl--If its non invasive, do you just jump out of bed the next day start doing Yoga?

[bartender100]

Had the op at Papworth in the uk so not really helpful, but can put your mind at rest a little about the operation.

 

I feel better than I have done for years. You know nothing about the op out cold, discomfort for a few weeks after. I was back at work in 6 weeks

 

In the UK I think private it's a £25K operation, mine was done free on the National Health

[sanuk711]

Thanks for responding barender100...Did you have the "Transcatheter aortic valve replacement", or did they cut your breast plate?

 

how old were you when you had the opp?

How long ago was it? 

If they cut through your breast plate, do you feel that it is weakened there at all?

 

sorry for the questions--just that your the first to reply I have had it

 

[Sheryl]

15 hours ago, sanuk711 said:

Thanks for the info izod10....... I don't know how much after care you need for this sort of opp

 

Sheryl--If its non invasive, do you just jump out of bed the next day start doing Yoga?

https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/OurServices/Bloodandcirculation/Transcatheter-aortic-valve-implantation/Diagnosis-and-treatment-TAVI/Post-TAVI-care.aspx

[Inepto Cracy]

On 8/14/2020 at 8:18 AM, sanuk711 said:

Wish I could help you Simon43---I did write to inepto Cracy that day.

 

Maybe he has a lot of commitments, but I am hoping he will find the time to answer.

Hello Simon43 and sanuk711. Yes I am talking about cannabis oil. I am not here to convince anybody to do what I did. I also did not want to offer advice, that I have not tried myself.

I did not reply earlier as my health had some issues that I had to attend to.

Cannabis oil has been shown to work in some people, yet in others, it makes no difference.

Thai traditional herbs and remedies can work as well.

Cut right down on sugar, salt, spicy food, msg and most carbohydrates, basically Thai food was not a healthy option in my case.

The heart can repair itself, if its looked after. Loose weight and stop smoking if you smoke anything at all.

This strategy worked for me and I am not saying it will work for everybody at all.

Just my view and my experience.

Sanuk711, I pray that all goes well with your heart and your health

[sanuk711]

Thanks for replying Inepto Cracy & best of luck with your health problems....

[newarrior]

On 8/14/2020 at 9:03 AM, stephenterry said:

Sanuk, I'm sorry to hear about your heart condition and your future concerns. I will add at this stage that once you are able to accept - even acknowledge - your mortality, stress and sleepless nights disappear. It's what will happen to all of us, and I'm older and wiser than you.

 

Preaching over, Sheryl's most helpful suggestions which involves non invasive medical techniques is the way to go. You're very fortunate living in an age where advanced medical treatment is first-class. 

 

I would also suggest following a Whole Food Plant Based nutrition regime for maximum heart benefits as I have done. It's the best lifestyle deal on the planet.  

 

Whatever you decide, my best wishes for a better future.

steve.

 

On 8/14/2020 at 9:03 AM, stephenterry said:

Steve I also do low fat planted based diet and am learning to accept my mortality...57 with heart disease and facing paying cash for aortic valve replacement here..I am single and alone which is scary

 

 

[stephenterry]

21 hours ago, newarrior said:

  On 8/14/2020 at 9:03 AM, stephenterry said:

Steve I also do low fat planted based diet and am learning to accept my mortality...57 with heart disease and facing paying cash for aortic valve replacement here..I am single and alone which is scary

Hi, my thoughts are with you. Facing any serious health issues on your own is scary, mainly owing to the unknown outcome. I do suggest visiting a hospital of your choice to talk your condition through with a heart specialist. Some cardiac surgeons are moving away from surgery as an immediate solution, if lifestyle changes offer an alternative. 

 

i'm also of the opinion that the heart can heal itself given the correct dietary regime, but this would be dependent on how serious your condition is. 

 

In my case an ECG last December disclosed I had plaque deposits on my mitral valve which limited closure of the blood flow. It caused me occasional light-headiness and feeling dizzy. So, in order to 'heal', as well as sticking rigidly to my WFPB nutritional regime I take a daily combination dose of Vitamin K2 and D3 which has  - touch wood - proven to resolve my health issues.

 

Hey - you might even meet a compassionate nurse willing to talk with you...

 

[Sheryl]

Diet is not going to correct a defective valve. 

 

OP you may live alone, but you are not alone going through this.  I am here for you and I'm sure so will be  some other TV members if you keep us informed of where and when the surgery is scheduled.

 

You will in fact be safer with a new valve in than you are right now. 

 

The doctors have recommended replacement because, even done by open surgery, it is the safer choice. You can make it both safer and easier still by travelling to Bangkok for the less invasive approach.

 

Don't leave it too long; it is better to do it before cardiac function is overly compromised. With a defective valve your heart is having to work harder and over time that takes a toll.