Heart Surgery, Blood Thinners And Trumpet Playing...

Bill Ortiz · Heavyweight Member Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 904

Hi all. I have a two part question. Has anyone here had open heart surgery? If so, what was the recovery time and road back in regards to trumpet playing? The second part is does anyone here have any experience with playing trumpet while on blood thinners? If so, were there any issues to report? Thanks for your answers :)
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'56 Martin Committee Deluxe #2 trumpet
14B Schilke mouthpiece
Couesnon Paris flugelhorn
Bob Reeves Sleeves and PVA

ebolton · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2021 2:03 pm Post subject:

I can speak to the blood thinner aspect. Has not been any issue for me.
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-Ed

Bill Ortiz · Heavyweight Member Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 904

Thanks Ed, good to hear :)
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'56 Martin Committee Deluxe #2 trumpet
14B Schilke mouthpiece
Couesnon Paris flugelhorn
Bob Reeves Sleeves and PVA

CalicchioMan · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2021 5:39 pm Post subject: Heart surgery

Bill,

I had open heart surgery at about 1 month old.....62 and still here

Best,

Scott
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Yamaha 8310ZII
Yamaha 631G Flugelhorn
Mendini Superbone
Pickett Mouthpieces

Bill Ortiz · Heavyweight Member Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 904

excellent Scott! I had my a couple of weeks ago.
_________________
'56 Martin Committee Deluxe #2 trumpet
14B Schilke mouthpiece
Couesnon Paris flugelhorn
Bob Reeves Sleeves and PVA

Sustained note · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 12:16 am Post subject: Am on Plavix since 2007

I had 2 heart attacks, in 2007 and in 2009, no heart surgery but both were followed by a catheterization procedure with a stent having been implanted.
I've been taking Plavix 75mm once a day ever since (14 years now).
I practice seriously for an hour a day. I even go up to E, F above the staff.
Pre-covid rehearsals twice a week for 2 hrs at each.
Never any playing-related problem with the blood thinner, with any of the playing.
If I cut myself, it takes a little longer to stop bleeding but that's it.
Best of luck Bill.
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Michael Greenberg

Giv'at Shmuel
Israel

Trumpet: Schilke B1 (2005)
Mouthpiece: Schilke Soloiste MG1
(Marc Geujon) gold plated
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Keep a sense of humor.

GeorgeB · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 3:59 am Post subject:

I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation last summer and had to go on blood thinners plus a drug called Metoprolol to regulate the heart beat. Blood thinners no problem but the Metoprolol seems to affect the face muscles in a negative way. I have adjusted to it to a degree, but I don't sound as good as I did before I started taking that drug.
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GeorgeB
1960s King Super 20 Silversonic
2016 Manchester Brass Custom
1938-39 Olds Recording
1942 Buescher 400 Bb trumpet
1952 Selmer Paris 21 B
1999 Conn Vintage One B flat trumpet
2020 Getzen 490 Bb
1962 Conn Victor 5A cornet

Bill Ortiz · Heavyweight Member Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 904

Hi George, I'm on Metoprolol too-in what way has it changed things and have you been able to adapt sufficiently? I'm still 2 weeks away from being cleared to play again.
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'56 Martin Committee Deluxe #2 trumpet
14B Schilke mouthpiece
Couesnon Paris flugelhorn
Bob Reeves Sleeves and PVA

royjohn · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 8:04 am Post subject:

My wife tells me I should not butt in with unsolicited advice, but this won't be the craziest thing posted here and it is potentially life saving, so...
those with heart problems should investigate a whole foods, plant-based diet such as proposed in Fuhrman's book Eat to Live. I easily lost 80 lbs on this diet, dropped my resting heart rate (an indicator of longevity) to 50 and dropped my blood test numbers. You can reverse heart disease and potentially get off all meds...that's all I'll say. Look at the science...
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royjohn
Trumpets: 1928 Holton Llewellyn Model, 1957 Holton 51LB, 2010 Custom C by Bill Jones, 2011 Custom D/Eb by Bill Jones
Flugels: 1975 Olds Superstar, 1970's Elkhardt, 1970's Getzen 4 valve
Cornet: 1970's Yamaha YCR-233S . . . and others . . .

GeorgeB · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 8:39 am Post subject:

Bill_Bumps · Veteran Member Joined: 07 May 2019 Posts: 157

david johnson · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 10:53 pm Post subject:

I had 1) carotid surgery and a year later 2) triple bypass, both surprises that were caught in time! Whew! I did not feel like playing after either. When I began again after the bypass I had to stop again because of tooth infection, resulting in losing two lower front teeth. The 'rain' really poured on my playing.
For me it's embouchure problems. I did blood thinners for a time and the cardiologist said to go to just a 325 aspirin now. Things are slowly returning. I went back to a 7C and sometimes a Stork 2C. Have courage and practice smart.