How has a Valve Replacement Changed your Life

[vhmoriarty]

I am going to be going through a Aortic Valve Replacement before Thanksgiving. I am wondering which valve to go with. I have been researching the last couple of days on valve choices.

What type of surgery did you have?
What were your symptons before surgery?
How has your life changed since the surgery?
Are you still tired or have symptons?
If you have a mechanical valve, do you hear it at all?
Have you received limitations due to the surgery or have you returned back to life before?

What was the most benefical thing you received by getting your valve? Of course you are still alive, but what is the advantage ie: able to run, more energitic, etc.

 

[catwoman]

1. I had a mitral valve replacement, with sternotomy.
2. Extreme fatigue, constant yawning, a-fib, cyanosis (blue or gray coloring in the face), congestive heart failure.
3. I'm alive!!!!!!!!!!!
4. I occasionally get tired, but (1) I'm 6+ years older and (2) I tend to burn the candle at both ends & in the middle.
5. Only when I'm in a tiled room or perhaps lying in bed at night. But it's a very very faint "tinny" sound.
6. No limitations.
7. I'm alive and I have more energy than before, no more yawning (unless you'd be yawning too ).

 

[tprice54]

1-bovine tissue valve
2-only real symtoms the last few weeks before surgery, tired all the time, could not run
3-I have become much more outspoken about heart issues, even have lobbied in D.C.! I would NEVER have done that pre op.
I have no limitations, I have finished a couple of marathons and am going for a marathon and a half in January.

 

[olefin]

What type of surgery did you have?
AVR
What were your symptons before surgery?
None, other than a noisy valve caused by restriction of blood flow.
How has your life changed since the surgery?
Six months after surgery I was back to doing my normal thing.
Are you still tired or have symptons?
Nope, feel great but I felt great before AVR.
If you have a mechanical valve, do you hear it at all?
Not now... for the first several years I could hear that lovely clicking!
What was the most benefical thing you received by getting your valve? Of course you are still alive, but what is the advantage ie: able to run, more energitic, etc.
I'm alive and healthy, nothing else can be of more advantage!

 

[Jkm7]

I had mitral valve replaced with bovine tissue about 18 months ago.
Before surgery, I got short of breath and fatigued easily.
This was my second OHS in four years (both were full sternum open) so my life does feel like it changed. I take excellent care of myself and seem to be more protective of my health.
Had easy, bump free recovery from both surgeries but still have some fatigue. Only moderate stamina as compared to before I had heart issues but have to remember, I have gotten older.
Cardio advised me when I was making my choices 'there is a point of no return' so one can only delay just so long. Advantage? I'm alive, active and able to do most everything I wish. I exercise as much now as I ever have.

 

[Christina]

What type of surgery did you have?
Two back to back AVR's 11 days apart.

What were your symptons before surgery?
Very tired, irritable and going down hill quickly.

How has your life changed since the surgery?
My life didn't change much at all since my surgery. It took me a while to recuperate from two AVR's but other than being 9 years older I am feeling good these days.

Are you still tired or have symptons?
Yes, I do get tired at times but no further symptons. I get an Echocardiogram twice a year to stay on top of things.

If you have a mechanical valve, do you hear it at all?
Yeah, I do at night when I lay in bed. During the day I don't heart it t all. My granddaughter tells me she hears a watch when she's close to me.

What was the most benefical thing you received by getting your valve? Of course you are still alive, but what is the advantage ie: able to run, more energy, etc.The AVR surgery saved my life. Without it I'd be 6 feet under! I am alive and am grateful to God and my medial team that I survived two open heart surgeries.__________________

 

[netmiff]

What type of surgery did you have? :AVR (mechanical) and aneurysm repair, full sternum opening
What were your symptons before surgery? : I didn't think I had any
How has your life changed since the surgery? : I take a few more pills . .
Are you still tired or have symptons? : no, but the first thing my mother noticed, even in ICU less than an hour out of surgery, were my newly-pionk cheeks!
If you have a mechanical valve, do you hear it at all? Only at night, in bed, when everything is quiet, which isn't often - my husband has a snoring problem. I don't her it now, and I am in a room by myself, no music or TV on. Sometimes in a bathroom, where there is nothing else to abosrb the sound, and it "bounces" off the hard surfaces.
Have you received limitations due to the surgery or have you returned back to life before? My bad back limits me more than my heart ever has, except for the 6 months before and ater surgery - could not lift anything heavier than about 5 lbs!

 

[MarkU]

What type of surgery did you have?
Replaced my bicuspid aortic valve with a a St Jude mechanical

What were your symptons before surgery?
Shortness of breath, chronic fatigue, fluid accumulation in the lungs, enlargement of my left ventricle

How has your life changed since the surgery?
I'm more laid-back, calmer, with different priorities.

Are you still tired or have symptons?
No.

If you have a mechanical valve, do you hear it at all?
Sometimes at night in bed. Not a big deal.

Have you received limitations due to the surgery or have you returned back to life before?
No limitations. More active in some ways than I was before. Started doing triathlons three years after my surgery. Ran my first half marathon this past February.

What was the most benefical thing you received by getting your valve? Of course you are still alive, but what is the advantage ie: able to run, more energitic, etc.
Don't minimize the "still alive" aspect. I was given three years to live prior to my surgery; that was nine years ago.

Good luck,
Mark

 

[R&N Brown]

What type of surgery did you have? AVR, On-X Valve, Root repair, & a Gelweave Graft installed in place of my ascending aorta.

What were your symptoms before surgery?
I was in deep denial, didn't realize I had any until post surgery.
Prior, I was falling to sleep at my desk at 2 in the afternoon. could not climb stairs without being fully winded. Stabbing back pain from the middle of my left shoulder on occasion, dizzy spells....I figured this was all normal stuff, I was fine....

How has your life changed since the surgery?
No more pain, no more dizzy spells, now I don't fall to sleep until 7;30 or 8. I can run, exercise at will, do things with my family that we had given up on. Walks, hiking, bike riding, I can mow the lawn again. My mind is clearer and I am more attentive.


Are you still tired or have symptoms?
I get tired if I really push it or if I don't get a good 6-8 hours of sleep every night. No more symptoms.


If you have a mechanical valve, do you hear it at all?
Yes, as with most here, under the same circumstances. Just recently I was in for an eye exam and a tech came in to do the exam, before he left he asked when I had had a valve replaced. Rarely does anyone else here it though. (except for my daughter, she hears everything! Good ears!)


What was the most beneficial thing you received by getting your valve? Of course you are still alive, but what is the advantage ie: able to run, more energy, etc.
Mark said it best "Don't minimize the still alive aspect" I also agree with those who stated that their priorities had changed. I am wound a little more lose then before.
Very few limitations.


Rob

 

[Bryan B]

What type of surgery did you have?

Ross Procedure

What were your symptons before surgery?

Fatigue, shortness of breath, sick a lot

How has your life changed since the surgery?

After recovery much more energy, stamina and ability to perform vigorous physical activity (the the ability to perform vigorous physical activity came after having sternum wires removed)

Are you still tired or have symptons?

First 4 years NO

Last year yes, but this is because my aortic root and ascending aorta are now dilated and I am on 3 different blood pressure medications (and my autograft is leaking moderately)

If you have a mechanical valve, do you hear it at all?

N/A

What was the most benefical thing you received by getting your valve? Of course you are still alive, but what is the advantage ie: able to run, more energy, etc.

More energy and overall health is better (I guess immune system is working better)

As an addition...I will need surgery in the near future (anytime between a couple of months to a few years) and I won't hesitate to "git er done" because I'm already starting to miss how good I felt until recently. It doesn't mean I won't be scared. Like I tell people...the good news is that I know what to expect now. The bad news is that I know what to expect now.

 

[Cooker]

I am going to be going through a Aortic Valve Replacement before Thanksgiving. I am wondering which valve to go with. I have been researching the last couple of days on valve choices.

What type of surgery did you have?
What were your symptons before surgery?
How has your life changed since the surgery?
Are you still tired or have symptons?
If you have a mechanical valve, do you hear it at all?
Have you received limitations due to the surgery or have you returned back to life before?

What was the most benefical thing you received by getting your valve? Of course you are still alive, but what is the advantage ie: able to run, more energitic, etc.

1. AVR with Ablation for A-fib

2. No pre-surgery heart symptoms except for A-fib

3. a few age related symptoms

4. Life is good... I don’t feel like I have a heart condition

5. mechanical and I hear it once in a while if I lay in a certain way and it is very quiet ... as I type I hear only key strokes...

6. no limitations except those that are age related...

7. I have more energy, I have a healthier life style and have made some wonderful friends through VR.com

8. Do I wish I never had to have OHS? Yes. If I had to do it again would I? In a heart beat.

 

[COLLEEN S]

What type of surgery did you have?Ross procedure in 97. Aortic aneurysm repair with implantation of St Jude aortic valve
What were your symptons before surgery?S.O.B., fatigue
How has your life changed since the surgery?Not as fatigued, only S.O.B. on extreme exertion.
Are you still tired or have symptons? Sometimes
If you have a mechanical valve, do you hear it at all?Yes, constantly told by family they can hear it, but I'm hard of hearing lol (a blessing!)
Have you received limitations due to the surgery or have you returned back to life before?I worked part time before and after, so I guess you can say I returned to life as before, except now I am walking everyday!

 

[marie]

What type of surgery did you have?
Aortic valve replacement
What were your symptons before surgery?
fatigue and SOB
How has your life changed since the surgery?
not much
Are you still tired or have symptons?
Yes but I may have another problem developing
If you have a mechanical valve, do you hear it at all?
tissue
Have you received limitations due to the surgery or have you returned back to life before?
No limitations due to the surgery

What was the most benefical thing you received by getting your valve? Of course you are still alive, but what is the advantage ie: able to run, more energitic, etc.[/QUOTE]
Had more energy right after but again I am devloping other problems not due to the surgery itself

 

[JeffM]

What type of surgery did you have? AVR (Tissue) with partial Maze.
What were your symptons before surgery? Began getting A-fib a few months prior to surgery but had been watching my heart enlarge over the years. Knew AVR was coming soon.
How has your life changed since the surgery? It hasn't changed anything for me other than given me the knowledge that I'll not die of a heart attack in the next year or two. I know I will have to have another AVR surgery at some point.
Are you still tired or have symptons?I was never tired, but now I get some lightheadedness when I don't rehydrate after hard, long bike rides.
If you have a mechanical valve, do you hear it at all? N/A
Have you received limitations due to the surgery or have you returned back to life before?
No limitations for me. I have yet to find out if I can be a stronger cyclist than before surgery as I am only at 85 - 90% of my prior conditioning level. But that's on me, not my valve.

 

[dsouter]

What type of surgery did you have?
I had a Bicuspid Aortic Valve replaced with a homograph at age 29.

What were your symptoms before surgery?
Dizzy with mild exercise, chronic fatigue and migraines

How has your life changed since the surgery?
Not dizzy, fatigued and migraines became rare for 8-9 years. Now almost 11 years later, I am getting original symptoms again.

Are you still tired or have symptoms?
Yes but I am almost 11 years on a tissue valve which for my age and time of original surgery is high average.
Was told 7-10 years is average.

If you have a mechanical valve, do you hear it at all?
I don't but a friend does and you can hear it sometimes in a quiet room.

Have you received limitations due to the surgery or have you returned back to life before?
No really heavy lifting and some things still hurt the chest bone even after 11 years.

What was the most benefical thing you received by getting your valve? Of course you are still alive, but what is the advantage ie: able to run, more energitic, etc.
Made me feel 10 years younger for many years.
Still feel younger than 40 but tired.

 

[Eva]

What type of surgery did you have? Aortic & Mitral valve replacement with St. Jude Mechanical valves

What were your symptons before surgery?Extreme fatigue, shortness of breath when taking stairs up or down, and while sitting down just before surgery

How has your life changed since the surgery?Yup...feeling normal like any healthy person should feel and younger

Are you still tired or have symptons?It's been a year for me since surgery, and my energy is still getting better and better

If you have a mechanical valve, do you hear it at all?Very rarely and when I do, I love its sound!!! (I was so worried before the surgery about the ticking noise, but now, I try to move my neck in a certain way in order to listen to it.

Have you received limitations due to the surgery or have you returned back to life before? Limitations was only after the surgery, NOW BETTER than before...at least as good as I felt 15 years ago!

What was the most benefical thing you received by getting your valve? Of course you are still alive, but what is the advantage ie: able to run, more energitic, etc. Got my life back...good quality of life

You shall be fine...we all worried much more than really we should have. Good luck and keep us informed.

 

[Cscapes]

What type of surgery did you have?
AVR

What were your symptons before surgery?
A few palpitations & a few hard pulses.

How has your life changed since the surgery?
1 life time med and a few extra precautions, otherwise none!

Are you still tired or have symptons?
NO

If you have a mechanical valve, do you hear it at all?
I'm only 6 weeks post op but really only notice it at night in bed lying on my back.

What was the most benefical thing you received by getting your valve? Of course you are still alive, but what is the advantage ie: able to run, more energy, etc.

I was asymptomatic before surgery so I don't know if I'll notice any direct benefits of the replacement other than I'll be alive 3 years from now

May God bless you, I know how this feels at such a young age, but our youth is our biggest assett.

 

[36drew]

I am going to be going through a Aortic Valve Replacement before Thanksgiving. I am wondering which valve to go with. I have been researching the last couple of days on valve choices.

What type of surgery did you have?
What were your symptons before surgery?
How has your life changed since the surgery?
Are you still tired or have symptons?
If you have a mechanical valve, do you hear it at all?
Have you received limitations due to the surgery or have you returned back to life before?

What was the most benefical thing you received by getting your valve? Of course you are still alive, but what is the advantage ie: able to run, more energitic, etc.

1. Aortic valve replacement for bicuspid valve (age 24)
2. None really. Just blood pressure 155/50.
3. Business as usual. Still play sports, work the same job, etc. Had I choosen a mechanical valve, some things might have been different though.
4. More energy now. Quite a bit more.
5. Don't have one, but most people who have them can hear them in a quiet room.
6. Normal life. Only thing is my heart healthy lifestyle is even more heart healthy.
7. Most benenficial thing is not dying! Knowing that i'm not going to suffer an unexpected heart attack or stroke.

 

[pamela]

What type of surgery did you have? First time AVR with full sternotomy.

What were your symptoms before surgery? I had all visible symptoms people experience as well as LVH, mitral regurg and SVT.

How has your life changed since the surgery? As you can see I had a second valve along with my dilated aortic root replaced. AVR2 rewarded me with a new attitude and greater appreciation for the little things. I value family and friends more.

Are you still tired or have symptoms? After AVR1 I knew something was wrong within 2 years of the surgery. My symptoms returned quickly and degraded rapidly. Now, I have other issues that cause me some concern, but I take these as they come. Life's too short to worry about what's past or what may happen in the indeterminate future. I try not to look far beyond what's going to have an effect right NOW.

If you have a mechanical valve, do you hear it at all? N/A

Have you received limitations due to the surgery or have you returned back to life before? No limitations but more freedom than ever. When I had valve disease, I was tied to an inefficient heart, now I feel I can be more than I was during the decade before my AVR.

What was the most benefical thing you received by getting your valve? Of course you are still alive, but what is the advantage ie: able to run, more energitic, etc. I was rewarded for my living through all this with a car! Besides that, I covered my other benefits quite nicely in how I've changed. Oh, I woke from the first surgery with warmer hands and feet than I've ever had in my life. Also, for a brief time between surgery, I was completely prescription free. It felt incredible to never need more than a baby aspirin each day.

 

[Mentu]

1. Like you, my aortic valve was failing so I had an AVR.
2. Before surgery, I was exhausted by any kind of activity or stress and short of breath everytime I walked even a short distance. Palpitations made life really uncomfortable.
3. Since Surgery, my symptoms are gone and I feel really good and am sleeping well.
4. My valve is a bio-prosthetic so there is nothing to hear.
5. I'm just three weeks past surgery so there are some limitations such as the weight one can lift but that will ease over the next weeks as I start Cardiac Rehab and I expect to be back at work by week six.
6. Aortic Stenosis for me was a terminal disease. I can now look forward to living a normal life and in a couple of months I will be back on my bike and riding again. I have a date with my Cardiologist to meet at next year's Hotter'n Hell Hundred in Wichita Falls for the 100 mile ride. You are welcome to join us.