5 weeks post op BAV repair

[Cuzfuzz1]

I had a valve a sparing repair job and aortic root replacement 5 weeks ago exactly. My incision is great, my vitals are fine, no sense of an arrhythmia. I have a good appetite. Currently taking Metopropolol 12.5 mg/day. My problem is a constant lightheadedness that hits me hardest every afternoon. I feel as if it has been worse the last week. I was walking 45 minutes total a day 2 weeks ago, currently I am able to do 15 minutes in the morning, the rest of the day I'm doing everything I can to keep my lightheadedness from getting worse. Fatigue seems to be where it should be at 5 weeks post op. Anybody else with similar symptoms post op? I'm a 39 year old male in (otherwise) excellent health, and I really want to get back to work next month!

 

[AZ Don]

Hi, I also had a valve sparing root and ascending aorta replacement, last year. Metoprolol can cause some light headedness and as your heart recovers it is not unusual to be more sensitive to such a medicine, but your dose is pretty low and I think it's effect only lasts 8 hours or so. Suggest you call your Dr. about this.

 

[tom in MO]

I had a similar problem at about 4-6 weeks and my cardio took me off metopropolol. It was only needed for post-surgery recovery and light headness is a possible non-therapuetic effect. I would talk to your cardio.

 

[river-wear]

Definitely talk to your cardio. I took Metoprolol at bedtime, but I still got lightheaded in the afternoon. I would check my BP then, and it was pretty low. I called my cardio's nurse and they took me off the Metoprolol about four weeks post op. It clears your system in about two days. My heart rate was kind of high (up to 100 walking around) at first, but it came down in a week or two. I went back to work 6.5 weeks post op.

 

[river-wear]

Definitely talk to your cardio. I took Metoprolol at bedtime, but I still got lightheaded in the afternoons. I would check my BP then and it was pretty low. I called my cardio's nurse; they took me off the Metoprolol about four weeks post op. It clears your system in about two days. My heart rate was kind of high (up to 100 walking around) at first, but it came down in a week or two. They told me to keep on walking! I went back to work 6.5 weeks post op.