Forrest
Well-known member
Heart of the Sunrise,
It’s good you’re doing lots of research in advance, as I imagine in some cases a mixture of doctor recommendations, forum member experiences and your own personal preferences between the pros and cons will help guide you to what is right for you. It was a difficult decision for me, but I’m glad I was able to make a choice. Unfortunately some folks had an emergency and didn’t get the opportunity to research their decisions as much as they’d prefer, so it’s nice to be able to choose based on both medical advice and what’s important to you.
I agree that both valve types are good choices today, and both types are seeing improvements with growing technologies on the horizon. I’m no expert, probably none of us are but some are very well read or have gone through quite a bit of heart operations, and we all provide personal experiences that are hard to find elsewhere. I’m not sure but it seems likely that mechanicals are somewhat more recommended on average, especially if you’re younger than a certain age, but then again we’re all different. I was about 50 when I chose tissue, and I don’t regret it, am doing quite well, as are those with mechanicals. I know I assumed a certain amount of particular risks (and it could have backfired on me), but I was willing to do so. But don’t let my choice (a sample of one) influence you at all. If you make the choice that makes you feel the safest (which can be either valve) and what fits with you personally, while taking in the information you find most important to you, then you’ve done well. Best wishes, regardless of what you and your doctors find appropriate for you.
It’s good you’re doing lots of research in advance, as I imagine in some cases a mixture of doctor recommendations, forum member experiences and your own personal preferences between the pros and cons will help guide you to what is right for you. It was a difficult decision for me, but I’m glad I was able to make a choice. Unfortunately some folks had an emergency and didn’t get the opportunity to research their decisions as much as they’d prefer, so it’s nice to be able to choose based on both medical advice and what’s important to you.
I agree that both valve types are good choices today, and both types are seeing improvements with growing technologies on the horizon. I’m no expert, probably none of us are but some are very well read or have gone through quite a bit of heart operations, and we all provide personal experiences that are hard to find elsewhere. I’m not sure but it seems likely that mechanicals are somewhat more recommended on average, especially if you’re younger than a certain age, but then again we’re all different. I was about 50 when I chose tissue, and I don’t regret it, am doing quite well, as are those with mechanicals. I know I assumed a certain amount of particular risks (and it could have backfired on me), but I was willing to do so. But don’t let my choice (a sample of one) influence you at all. If you make the choice that makes you feel the safest (which can be either valve) and what fits with you personally, while taking in the information you find most important to you, then you’ve done well. Best wishes, regardless of what you and your doctors find appropriate for you.