Post-open-heart surgery lifestyle changes – my ‘new normal’
By Jim Abraham, AHA Heart Valve Ambassador
In 2017 I had my first open-heart surgery to repair my mitral valve. Surgery went well. But in the weeks that followed, I chose not to make any lifestyle changes.
In 2020 I needed another open-heart surgery to repair a different area of my mitral valve. This time I made changes to my lifestyle, aka my new normal.
I suspect most changes listed below are not new ideas to most of us. But having the discipline and commitment to make these changes was new for me.
Food and drink changes
Medication management — close collaboration with my doctors
The types of prescriptions and dosage amounts tend to vary not only for each of us, but over time; titration (adjustments) often occur to each of our own prescriptions.
Paying extra close attention to side effects of each medication is now a high priority to me — dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle pain. And, as a result, changes in meds (and/or dosage amounts) are now periodically made — all with close collaboration with my health care team.
Follow-up visits
In the past I took a very passive approach to scheduling follow-up visits. While that has changed, I try to be sensitive to the strain on our health care providers (from COVID to staffing shortages). Now I’m hands-on in making sure follow-up visits get scheduled on a timely basis. The reason? I’ve experienced numerous delays in scheduling future visits.
Exercise — keep moving!
I do my best to walk at least 7,500 to 10,000 steps a day — ideally more. Also, I try to push myself to increase my heart rate in a meaningful way during each walk. Admittedly, I need to improve in this area and have made it a goal in 2022.
Education
Staying current on medical treatments and advances is important to me. Also, learning from others with cardiovascular disease — and knowing I’m not dealing with this alone — have also been of high value to me.
The American Heart Association (AHA) website (heart.org) is my go-to site for ongoing education as a complement to discussions with my health care team.
Jim and his wife, Laura
The need for my second open-heart surgery opened my eyes to the need to make lifestyle changes. Making these changes has taken self-awareness, discipline and commitment.
As other AHA Ambassadors say, we have "one heart — one life." And I use this as a reminder as I welcome each new day.
February is American Heart Month. Whether you’re a patient or a caregiver, now’s the time to Reclaim Your Rhythm and take back control of your physical health and mental well-being.
Mitral valve regurgitation is a serious heart valve disease condition. Mark your calendars for Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day on Feb. 22.