Can you hear the valve???

[jojofromct]

OK I never listened for it before today but WOW I can hear my dads valve. I dont even really need to have my ear next to his heart, I can hear it. IS THAT NORMAL??? My mom freaked out when she heard it, we all listened to it today. Well, my dad is going to call the doctor tomorrow because he feels a little yucky and short of breath coming up the stairs. He didnt feel this way 2 weeks ago and NOW feels shortness of breath coming up two flights of stairs plus the weight gain. So he is calling the cardio, I think I mentioned this is another post the other day...ANYWAY...so YEAH I can hear his valve and its so loud I cant believe it...Just wondering if thats normal.

 

[lilteach3234]

OK I never listened for it before today but WOW I can hear my dads valve. I dont even really need to have my ear next to his heart, I can hear it. IS THAT NORMAL??? My mom freaked out when she heard it, we all listened to it today. Well, my dad is going to call the doctor tomorrow because he feels a little yucky and short of breath coming up the stairs. He didnt feel this way 2 weeks ago and NOW feels shortness of breath coming up two flights of stairs plus the weight gain. So he is calling the cardio, I think I mentioned this is another post the other day...ANYWAY...so YEAH I can hear his valve and its so loud I cant believe it...Just wondering if thats normal.

Oh lordy,
These are the posts that scare me, because one minute you can be feeling good and then two weeks later everything can change. I hope I am not a basket case after the surgery waiting for something to be wrong.

I hope your dad gets better and his doctor gets him back on track.

 

[Ross]

lilteach relax, JoJo is my extreme worrier. That can be a good thing though.

Yes I can hear my valve if I sit a certain way applying more pressure to my upper extremities and if I'm in a totally silent room. I've thought about trying to hook a microphone up and see if it can pick it up for all of you to hear.

Lilteach, heart surgery is serious in nature and does come with some bumps in the road for some people. Very few get by without some sort of residual effect creeping up somewhere during recovery. Most all can be dealt with, so don't go worrying yourself silly. What you need to worry about is dying if you don't get fixed.

 

[lisou]

Hi Jojo hope everthing is good with your dad, but to hear the valve like that is normal here, my husband and my kids can all hear it, mine is really loud.

 

[lilteach3234]

lilteach relax, JoJo is my extreme worrier. That can be a good thing though.

Yes I can hear my valve if I sit a certain way applying more pressure to my upper extremities and if I'm in a totally silent room. I've thought about trying to hook a microphone up and see if it can pick it up for all of you to hear.

Lilteach, heart surgery is serious in nature and does come with some bumps in the road for some people. Very few get by without some sort of residual effect creeping up somewhere during recovery. Most all can be dealt with, so don't go worrying yourself silly. What you need to worry about is dying if you don't get fixed.

I promise I'll be good Ross.....no more worrying.

 

[ctyguy]

My wife has been able to hear my valve since Day 1. I had a guy come into my cube a few months ago and ask me if I had a clock that he couldn't see. I did my best to not learn what it sounded like but at about 6 months post-op I finally heard it when laying in bed. Now if the room is really quiet I can here myself clicking away. So no worries, its normal.

I slowly gained back most of the weight I lost. I went from 210, down to 185, and now Im back to 200. I can also say that I went back to work at 5-6 weeks and I took the stairs, 2 flights, and I was winded. I remember also a bit of a spontaneous sweat. And I gotta be 20+ years younger than your Dad, Im 43. So I wouldn't worry too much but if your Dad does seem to be taking a step or two backwards, see the doc. Thats what those insurance premiums are all about.

 

[lilteach3234]

My wife has been able to hear my valve since Day 1. I had a guy come into my cube a few months ago and ask me if I had a clock that he couldn't see. I did my best to not learn what it sounded like but at about 6 months post-op I finally heard it when laying in bed. Now if the room is really quiet I can here myself clicking away. So no worries, its normal.

I slowly gained back most of the weight I lost. I went from 210, down to 185, and now Im back to 200. I can also say that I went back to work at 5-6 weeks and I took the stairs, 2 flights, and I was winded. I remember also a bit of a spontaneous sweat. And I gotta be 20+ years younger than your Dad, Im 43. So I wouldn't worry too much but if your Dad does seem to be taking a step or two backwards, see the doc. Thats what those insurance premiums are all about.

Oh CT guy, I don't want to gain any weight back that I lose. That's the only thing I'm looking forward to.....hehe.

When does one not feel winded and not sweat? Does that eventually go away. The windedness is what gets me now and I sure am ready for that to be a past time.

 

[njean]

I've always been able to hear my valves, in fact, it would be a bit disconcerting if I couldn't. Other people can hear them also at times.

Hearing the clicking sound is nothing abnormal & with time, you may even become oblivious to it.

 

[geckley]

I still hear mine, but I'm still new to it. I guess it will break in.

 

[Bina]

I don't really hear mine, but I can feel it.....thump, thump......there is the occasional time where I hear a bit of a "ting".
Maybe I'll have to borrow my daughter's stethoscope again.

 

[Bina]

JoJo, maybe your Dad is just retaining some fluid? Let us know.

 

[marciemarine]

I had two mechanical valves put in in November of 2007, and I can tell you that they are loud enough for others to hear in a quiet environment. Sometimes when I have my mind elsewhewre, I get surprised with the ticking, but overall I think it would be worse if they weren't ticking! It seems a small price to pay for my life and health. Marcie

 

[tex]

Hi,
Yip its normal to hear the Valves, my hubby has called them Alan lol dont ask why i have no idea, but he says i can hear Alan, i always say problems start when you cant.
My thoughts are with your dad for a speedy recovery.
Take Care
Jane

 

[Woodbutcher]

"Yip its normal to hear the Valves, my hubby has called them Alan" That is funny. I cant think of a less apt name for a ticking valve, Alan?! I know you said dont ask why, but I
have to ask..Why !??

Anyway Jojo, my valve ticks, I can hear it all the time and I'm slowly getting used to it. My nephews think it's hilarious and insist they can hear it from across the room !! I dont think they can though !? Most cant hear it unless they put their ear against my chest.
I hope your Dads shortness of breath is just a teathing problem along the road to recovery ? Not sure about the weight gain thing ? I was 78kg when I went into hospital, 84 after the operation which was something to do with fluids and stuff, now settled at 80 for the last 2 months or so.
Hope the giving up smoking is going well ?
Justin

 

[AndyChas]

Anyway Jojo, my valve ticks, I can hear it all the time and I'm slowly getting used to it. My nephews think it's hilarious and insist they can hear it from across the room !! I dont think they can though !? Most cant hear it unless they put their ear against my chest.

Justin, I wonder whether the sharks will be able to hear it when you get back on your plank?

 

[DavesMom]

Hi all,

Guess I'm lucky because I can't hear my valve at all. Only thing that bugs me is being able to hear my heart beating in my ear!

However, from what I've read it is very common to be able to hear the valve, so no reason to worry.

Best wishes for your dad, Jojo.

Take care.

Cheers,
Michelle

 

[Johnny Stephens]

2 mechanicals, and though the docs tell me they're loud, I've only had a couple of people ask me "what's that ticking sound?" I tell them to let me know ASAP if it stops.

 

[Cris N]

I hear mine from time to time - occasionally it keeps me awake - you know those nights when you stay up too late and then freak out because you can't get to sleep? Also, I work in an office in a university and we have a bunch of student help. Their young ears pick it up all the time. The first time it happened the young lady finally looked at me from about 10 feet away and said "you have a really loud watch". She was quite surprised when I explained the cause for the sound. So, now, when we have new students, I wait for them to start looking around trying to figure out where the noise is coming from.... and then I ask... so, I guess you hear the ticking? Drives 'em crazy until they find out where's it's coming from.

 

[Petros]

I hear mine from time to time - occasionally it keeps me awake - you know those nights when you stay up too late and then freak out because you can't get to sleep?

Yes, I can also hear mine especially in a situation as described above. However, there is a position at bed when I can not hear my valve. Believe it or not, this is now my most unconfortable position since I now prefer to hear my valve and make sure that this is "working" OK.
Sometime ago a VR member described the tickling noise as the"sound of life". I now strongly agree with this description.

 

[Thankful@43]

ticking sound

ticking sound

Like so many others my wife and daughters hear mine too.I liked the it was described in a previous reply as "the sound of life". It's when you don't hear it.......