As I already mentioned, I am living in germany.As far as I know, germany is the only european country,which offers post surgery patients a stay+treatment (for cardiac patients normally 3 weeks) in rehabilitation centres/clinics. I took part as well and I must say that my physical improvement is amazing. When I left the cologne heart center, my condition was very poor. Because of severe shortness of breath (fluid around the right lung) I could hardly walk a few metres.Now 3 weeks later two staircases in my home are not a problem.I even take my bicycle to do some shoppings.Of course I have not regained my pre surgery energy, that will take another few months.Not having a (partial) sternotomy was definitedly an advantage for a quick recovery.I'm feeling fine!!!
I would like to point out,that it is very important to have a mitral valve repair at an early stage, i.e. as long as the left chamber/ventrikel is still good and the left atrium is only slightly dilated.Now I have a "normal" life expectancy (according to my age,I'm 70 years old).
Because of the fixing of a ring around the mitral opening I need a bloodthinner,for the next 3 months.because of atrial fibrillation I took that medicine since 2010. so far there were no attacks (or I didn't notice it), so I really hope that they allow me to stop.unfortunatedly it depends on the cardiac dr., who treats you.They don't agree with each other and the guidelines are not clear.
Therefore I joined the mayoclinic discussion to get more information about the after-treatment in the usa.