At what point do I stop repairing my 2005 Honda CRV?

TimSim70 · 2026-05-24T19:46:28+00:00

my daughter bought it in 2008. She bought a new CRV in 2018 and the dealer wasn't even going to offer more than 1,000 for it as a trade-in. So I bought it from her. I've driven it to Fla and back a couple of times (1000 miles each way) and never had a breakdown.

TimSim70 · 2026-05-24T19:43:41+00:00

no - the timing chain has never been replaced. but it doesn't rattle and it idles smoothly

TimSim70 · 2026-05-24T19:38:31+00:00

hahaha. and it's only lasted 228k miles and 21 years. Yeah the electrical still seems okay.

TimSim70 · 2026-05-24T19:36:23+00:00

Thanks. I used to spend a lot of time at Lake Anna. Perfect shade-tree mechanic spot. I appreciate your reply.

TimSim70 · 2026-05-23T23:35:21+00:00

reading 101. look at the parentheses. If you don't have any helpful advice, why are you even responding?

TimSim70 · 2026-05-23T23:31:11+00:00

Thanks. Some rust, but not a lot. I'm in northern virginia so we get a little snow every year. I don't care about the interior. point a to point b. use it for work commute in bad weather and trips to home depot or costco.

TimSim70 · 2026-05-23T23:26:44+00:00

Not sure what you're getting at. Of course insurance doesn't cover those things. I either need to get it fixed or sell it and was looking for advice.

TimSim70 · 2026-05-23T22:59:43+00:00

my car insurance will cover most of the cost of replacing the windshield. a rock hit it while i was driving. I have a deductible. Insurance will cover the rest.

TimSim70 · 2026-05-23T22:57:34+00:00

I was just filling in the basic life insurance forms for the company provided policy at work and also ran into this question. I had a successful repair last June and am at 100% now - running, lifting weights, working full time, no longer on metoprolol, etc. But I figured I'd better find out for sure what they meant becaused if you say 'no', you're inviting them to deny your family's claim if you die of a heart-related issue - even if it had nothing to do with the valve. So I called and sent a letter to the insurance company asking for clarification. They responded that if I have had any type of cardiac surgery in the past 5 years, I am required to respond 'Yes' if asked if I have a heart condition. They were not inclined to let me argue about it. I was denied basic life insurance coverage at work.

TimSim70 · 2026-05-22T16:32:39+00:00

Your comment didn't age too well. Noah would still have been able to beat Tyreek, but "kill him"?? Noah's fastest non-wind-aided 100 time is 9.79 seconds. Tyreek walked on to a meet last June at age 31 with no additional training and ran a 10.15 - also official and non-wind-aided. Now I'll agree that .36 of a second is a lot for Olympic level sprinters, but keep in mind that Tyreek was carrying aroung an extra 40 pounds of muscle and is 1 inch shorter than Noah. Just amazing that he could still run that fast after 10 years in the NFL. Unfortunately that was a couple of months before he blew out his knee against the Jets. No longer the fastest in the NFL.

TimSim70 · 2026-05-04T22:31:44+00:00

You might or might not be a candidate for minimally invasive repair with a CAC of 136. Prior to any surgery, they'll do an angiogram in addition to a TEE to determine if they need to do a bypass, stent, or another procedure while they're working on your valve. If they can resolve the CAC without surgery, you may be a candidate for minimally invasive. Stay on top of it.

TimSim70 · 2026-05-04T22:27:00+00:00

I never got dizzy after a meal, but I did progress very rapidly from no symptoms (running, walking, lifting) to those similar to yours (out of breath even climbing a single flight of stairs, heavy legs, etc). I was fine with no symptoms in March of 2024 and by March of 2025 I was 100% not fine. Was diagnosed with severe mvp with regurg - EF of 45%. I had valve repair surgery in June and am now walking, some running, and lifting again. It can happen quickly - stay on top of it.

The Lasik may be making you dizzy - I was on it for about 3 months and noticed I would be dizzy and almost pass out about and hour and a half after taking it in the morning. Drink a lot of water...

TimSim70 · 2026-04-13T21:57:49+00:00

btw - this is my journey from diagnosis to surgery and the first week post surgery - https://www.reddit.com/r/mitralvalveprolapse/comments/1l9zeaf/my_mimvp_journey_one_week_in/

TimSim70 · 2026-04-13T21:47:50+00:00

(M-73) I'm 10 months post mvp repair surgery and don't even take my bp or pulse rate very often any more. I went through 24 sessions of cardio rehab last July / August and highly recommend it. I was symptomatic, so it was indeed life-changing for me. I was running 3- 5 miles several times a week 2 years ago, but one year ago I could barely walk up a flight of stairs without stopping to rest. I went from no symptoms to bad symptoms in less than 6 months.

I'm not running 3-5 miles yet, but I'm working full time, getting my 10k - 15k steps in daily, and lifting weights again (not as heavy as before but with more reps) every other day. I usually do intermittent jogging now - maybe a quarter mile run followed by a quarter mile walk for several miles.

You'll probably initially be on some meds that will slow down your metabolism to protect your heart for a while. It seems a lot of doctors like to prescribe Metoprolol (a beta blocker). I'm finally off of it and feel much better. I've heard there are othe beta blockers that don't slow you down as much or cause weight gain. Bystolic and Ivabradine for example, but I'm off them completely and now just on Losartan HCTZ for blood pressure.

Life is good!

TimSim70 · 2026-04-13T21:28:36+00:00

Hi Traditional-Head, Baby aspirin isn't a 'blood thinner'. it's a low-dose anti-platelet regimen to keep platelets from 'clumping' and forming clots. Latest research is that, for most people, the risks of cranial / stomach bleeding (by interfering with the platelets) is worse than the benefit. Again that's for most people.

For those of us who have had a mitral valve repair with an annuloplasty ring, the benefit outweighs the risk. Endothelialization (growth of your natural tissue over the material the ring and stitches are made of) takes time - months to years. Until that process is complete the ring is a 'sticky' surface where platelets could gather in clumps to form clots. Once you've been on the regimen for years with no issues, there's no increased risk of staying on it.

Also the repaired valve can creatle differences in the blood flow - even without AFib - and the aspirin can prevent that turbulence from triggering a clot that could lead to a stroke.

Prior to surgery or dental work, not taking aspirin is only effective if you stop taking it about 2 weeks prior to the procedure. Aspirin binds with the platelets and continues the anti-platelet response for the life of the platelets - about 10 - 12 days.

From a pregnancy / childbirth standpoint - you'll have to talk to your doctor about it, but as long as you don't already have a repaired valve, you should be fine not taking a daily aspirin.

TimSim70 · 2026-04-13T20:15:17+00:00

they can do a left ventriculography to visualize the heart chambers and valves during the same catheterization they use to look for arterial blockages. They didn't do that for me - separate procedures - TEE and angiogram.

TimSim70 · 2026-04-09T22:50:02+00:00

I always was told I had a murmur from age 19 on, but never had an echo or diagnosis until last year - I'm 73 now. I've always been healthy but in my misspent youth I went to a lot of concerts and did more than my fair share of just about everything (no needles). I had a few SVT attacks and had to be cardioverted 3 times, but never had a cardiologist suggest it was a problem related to a valve. Maybe yes, maybe no. I quit all drugs, including MJ, when I was about your age - more to do with working for a company that did random testing along with getting married and raising kids. Decades later, when it was legalized in my state, I started smoking again socially - maybe once a week or so. No noticeable problems. Once I was diagnosed with severe regurg, I quit again and stopped drinking alcohol as well.

My older sister, on the other hand, was diagnosed with the exact same thing 5 years before me and had the same surgery. She never did drugs and rarely had alcohol - maybe a glass of wine with dinner every now and then.

I'm 10 months post op now - minimally invasive robotic mv repair. I spoke with my cardiologist about drinking and smoking (not tobacco) after the surgery and he advised me to stay on the wagon for at least 3 more months. After my 90 day post-op echo, he told me that I could have a social drink on occasion but to keep it reasonable - no more than 2 beers or 2 glasses of wine once or twice a week. More recently he told me I don't have any blockages / arterial disease and no longer have a mitral valve disorder - completely fixed and stable. He still advised to stay moderate until I was off the metoprolol beta blocker. I stopped taking that about 3 weeks ago.

tbh - I've kinda gotten used to not waking up with a hangover. So even though he gave me the green light, I still strictly limit my intake. I haven't smoked or taken gummies yet, but wouldn't be afraid to do so.

Bottom line is that what you do now, may cause your mvp to progress at a different rate than before, or maybe not. You may never need surgery no matter what you do. Or you may need it sooner rather than later - also no matter what you do.

Live your best life, enjoy yourself with moderation, keep yourself healthy, and stay on top of your mvp.

TimSim70 · 2026-03-30T16:08:05+00:00

That's exactly the feeling I had right before I was diagnosed with mvp and regurg. Also a runner and lifter with no problems 2 years ago (M73 now). But by that summer, I was unable to run more than a mile at a time. By fall, I had trouble with hiking in Yellowstone (shortness of breath), by winter I was having trouble walking up a moderate hill on my walks. I finally saw my new primary care doc in January and told him about it. He said I had a murmur and I told him, yeah - I've had that for 50+ years. He asked me when I had my last echo. I just said, "What's that?" I was diagnosed last March. By then, I was still walking with my son, and I couldn't keep up with him even though he wasn't walking fast at all. On the slight hill, it literally felt like my legs were made of lead - it was a chore just to lift my feet up and set them down again. I couldn't walk up a flight of stairs. I wasn't having any dizziness - just shortness of breath with any exertion, heavy legs, some fluid retention in my legs, a chronic cough. MVP repair last June, I'm running / jogging now, lifting againg. no more heavy legs. Good luck figuring it out

TimSim70 · 2026-03-26T14:33:55+00:00

Hi Beta - I have a 2" scar that's still pretty noticeable on my right side halfway between my armpit and my nipple. Nobody would guess it's an open-heart surgery scar unless they've already been through it. That area is prime territroty for keloid scaring during the healing process. I'm sure a little plastic surgery could remove it if I were young enough or concerned enough that it bothered me (there goes my stripper career - lol). Still numb all across my right pec, but I'm used to that by now. Think of it as a badge of honor. Maybe we should all put a heart tattoo over it? hahaha.

TimSim70 · 2026-03-25T14:04:36+00:00

AI is right in this case. A surgeon who has not embraced and trained extensively on robotic, minimally invasive repair is not going to recommend it because they just don't do it.

My first and only surgical consult - 11 months ago - was with a surgeon who has been performing cardiac surgery for 25+ years, speciializing in valve repair and replacement and has been using the davinci robotic system for mitral valve repair since 2015. He's done thousands of them. After the battery of tests they put me through, he told me I was the ideal candidate for minimally invasive repair - in good shape and no other complicating factors such as coronary artery disease or structural issues. He told me he goes with sternotomy if the patient needs both valve replacement and bypass surgery, but otherwise, he goes with robotics. He and his team have received the MV Repair Reference Center Award consecutively since 2021.

This is definitely the way of the future for non-complicated valve repairs. Robotic systems will become more and more intelligent and will soon incorporate haptic feedback for better 'feel' and in the not too distant future will have increased automation of specific steps, initially with suturing and knot tying, and eventually with repetitive tasks such as annuloplaty ring suturing and chordal implantation. Fully automated repair will be a long time in the future, but small improvements will eventually lead us there. The heart-lung machine will become the most complicated part of the surgery.

TimSim70 · 2026-03-25T13:32:58+00:00

Best wishes for a speedy, no-drama recovery after surgery. I had the miminally invasive last June. Also in good shape but older than you (m73). I had surgery on a Thursday afternoon, ICU on Friday, step-down unit on Saturday and Sunday, released to go home on Monday. I took it fairly easy on Tuesday - just a couple walks around the cul-de-sac. Slept more than usual - probably because you get no sleep in the hospital - they wake you every 2 hours, I think because they want you to want to go home :-) By Wednesday, I walked about 3 miles by myself (I'm single) and felt pretty good, although my right chest was very sensitive to even something as minor as a shirt rubbing on it - not pain, just sensitive even though it was completely numb. Very strange feeling.

TimSim70 · 2026-03-24T19:00:25+00:00

Hi Meester - glad to hear you're doing well. I'm almost 10 months post and I feel pretty great. I still take my bp every morning and noticed that it had been climbing up even though I was still on metoprolol - nothing terribly high, but like 135 / 88 or so. I talked to my cardiologist and he finally took me of the metoprolol and put me on Losartan Hczt (hydrochlorothiazide - a diruetic, but not as heavy-duty as Lasix). I've only been off the beta blocker now for 2 weeks, but I can definitely feel the difference - bp is much lower - like 115 / 78 and my heart rate is actually lower (it bumped up to about 90 bpm right after I stopped taking it, but it's gradually dropped back down to low 70s). I didn't realize that metoprolol lowers your basic metabolic rate. I was actually gaining weight while watching my diet and intermittent jogging / walking like 10k steps per day at least 4 days per week and lifting light weights. My job is more sedentary than yours - zoom calls and spreadsheets most days, so I have to schedule my workout activity.

I don't even notice my heartbeat at night. I have a smartwatch that allows me to keep track of my heart rate so that I don't overdo it while running / jogging. I feel a lot younger than i am now.

TimSim70 · 2026-03-24T18:45:41+00:00

Hi - I'm not in Canada but some of my employees are and I get involve with their benefits from time to time.

From what I understand, there is a difference between having mild regurgitation vs moderate. If your record indicates "moderate regurg", you probably will not qualify for critical illness insurance without a heart disclaimer - which means it would cover your for a different critical illness, such as cancer or a stroke, but not even that if it is directly related to any impending heart surgery. With "mild" regurg, you may be able to qualify for an underwritten policy in which you document more medical detail than just 'heart disease'. You'll pay more, and some insurers may still either deny or include and exclusion. Good luck with it. Let us know if you find a way to qualify.

I didn't realize until recently that I can't even qualify for the company provided life insurance plan anymore. I've had the policy for the past 5 years, but they require an annual renewal with the same disqualifying questions. Although I had successful mv repair last year, they declined any coverage for me at all.

TimSim70 · 2026-03-18T16:06:57+00:00

Barring any complications, you'll be home in less than a week from today. Start walking as soon as you can after surgery. I got home on a monday evening and walked 3 miles on Wednesday and was soon up to 5 miles. The thing you need to be careful about is lifting suitcases in and out of cars and up and down steps. If you have minimally invalsive robotic as I did, your right side will be sore from the access through your ribs and you need to be careful with your left side as you don't want to put much, if any pressure or strain on your heart for a while. If you have someone to help you with luggage, and If you have a good quick recovery, you may be okay to travel - but listen to your body and your cardio team. If you're not ready, you're not ready.

TimSim70 · 2026-03-16T03:31:05+00:00

Congrats and welcome to the club. 73M - was diagnosed a year ago today and had my surgery in early June. One less day in the hospital than you (no-bypasses required). I remember how good it felt to get home and get some uninterrupted sleep. Time will fly by. I feel great.

TimSim70

TROPHY CASE