Hi George,
I never had annulplasty surgery but, 26 months ago, I did have emergency quintuple bypass surgery after a mild heart attack with no heart damage, complicated by post-surgical pneumonia caught from the ventilator that kept me in a medically induced coma for two weeks with a 50/50 chance of survival. I also was and still am, at age 69, a lifelong athlete, including former gymnast, wrestler, distance runner, current weightlifter and bodyweight training (e.g. pullups, pushups) athlete. Other than high blood pressure that was well controlled by low dose medication, I had no risk factors or symptoms. In fact, everybody I knew was shocked that I, of all people, had a heart attack and nearly died on a ventilator. Of course, none of them knew that I have a family history of left anterior descending coronary artery disease. They never knew because nobody in my family ever bothered to tell me until after the fact.
The lesson I learned is that "everything is possible" (a once popular expression with Eastern European Nazi death camp survivors when they told their survival stories). And so, today, I sit in my apartment bunker, hopefully shielded from outside contact with the pandemic epicenter of NY/NJ, doing stair climbing for cardio and pushup/pullup variations for strength, and I rationalize about all the same types of things you mentioned in your post. I think about all the so-called expert advice, as reported in the media to the best of their understanding, and I analyze it based on my own knowledge of scientific method and statistical analysis. And I come to the conclusion over and over again that what is being posited as information, even by supposed experts, is mostly speculation without adequate data and without the benefit of controlled, random testing critical to the advancement of scientific knowledge. I also recognize that the general statements about the dangers posed to seniors like me are based on the average obese, sedentary, free eating and drinking 70 year old, without accounting for individual differences.
And so I use my intellectual training, including my interest in all things science, to rationalize that I am the exception to the seniors at heightened risk rule...except that I know, in my heart of hearts, that however right my intellectual critique may be, I am, in fact, at heightened risk from Covid and I am no exception to anything because I also know, through personal experience, that everything is possible. So I remain a Covid shut-in, willingly, avoiding outside contact with anyone save my wife and my 20 year old daughter that lives with me because, while Death and I are old friends, and I have made my peace with it, I have no desire to put my wife and daughter through anything like they went through the last time that I greeted Death. At this point in my life, I would like the opportunity to share more of what life really offers all of us and, one day in the more distant future, teach them how to die in a hopefully wider time frame than is likely during this time of pandemic.
Stay healthy and safe, friend.
Ira
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Ira Reid
Hoboken NJ
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-07-2020 15:33
From: george baraque
Subject: Risk of contracting Corona Virus as Annulplasty Patient
I had annuloplasty surgery to implant two Medtronics metal alloy rings in my Tri-cuspid and Mitral Valves in Dec 2016 Miami Heart Institute/Mount Sinai Hospital Miami Beach (Dr. Pablo Vivas Cardiologist and Joseph Lamelas Cardio Surgeon). Surgery went well and without complications. I had a stroke six months later but recovered without lasting effects. I do not suffer from any underlying problems such as being overweight (5'7" 120lbs), or diabetes, of high blood pressure (my blood pressure is actually in the low range consistently), I lift weights regularly, am not on any meds other than low dose aspirin, I do not smoke, drink alcohol, or partake of illicit drugs. I am 63 years of age and in actually very good health. My question is:
Does the fact that I have had annulplasty surgery for my Tri-cuspid and Mitrail valves, place me at a higher risk of contracting the corona virus than I would be - all things considered (I am taking all suggested precautions, i.e. weariing mask when I leave my house, wearing gloves, maintaining social distance from everyone (sans my daughter [20 yoa] with whom I reside) and only going out if absolutely necessary - than I would be otherwise.
In other words - I am considered to have heart disease for purposes of my risk of contracting the coronal virus.
Thank you
George Baraque
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george baraque
Accountant
George Baraque
Hollywood FL
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