Ibuprofen okay with new tissue valve?

BasinBoy25 · Jul 21, 2020

Does any one know if Ibuprofen is okay to take after getting a new tissue valve? I am only needing to take a baby aspirin after the surgery six months ago. My problem is inflamed feet from walking so much recovering from the surgery (with COVID lurking gyms are off may list of places to be). My PCP says try some ibuprofen to help with the inflammation. But I seem to remember hearing somewhere that Ibuprofen is off limits for heart patients--but I don't know if that is only for heart attack/stroke patients. Anyway, anybody heard anything about it? Thanks.

Pete81 · Jul 22, 2020

Hi BB25,

many heart patients, recipients of mechanical valves in particular take warfarin or a derivative thereof as an anticoagulant. The combination of those with NSAIDs such as ibuprofen is known to increase Risk for gastric bleeding. aspirine is in principle also irritating the stomach lining but wether or not your small dose is significant should be on/in the box. I think on rare occasions however certain NSAIDS may cause other, heart related, problems therefore even though it is over the counter, having had heart surgery I would always quickly check with my GP from now on before takings any medication that used to be just fine. Hope this helps.

DaveEM · Jul 22, 2020

In the first couple of days after my first tissue valve replacement surgery I developed an inflammation of the pleural lining of the lungs. My cardiologist prescribed 800mg doses of ibuprofen for three to four days. It knocked it right out. So, it doesn't appear to be entirely incompatible with heart surgery recovery, but as in all things, check with your cardiologist first.

KatrinaE · Jul 23, 2020

I had a tissue valve replacement in October of 2015. All I take is a 80 mg aspirin a day. My Heart doctor will not let me take any ibuprofen. All they let me take is tylenol. I do take the tylenol 8 hour arthritis for aching in legs at night and it really helps! But def check with your doctor to make sure. I know all Doctors are different. This October will be my 5 year annv of my heart surgery and knock on wood no problems. I am almost 60 with 4 and 5 year old grandkids. They keep me busy and moving. I feel so blessed to be able to help take care of them.

tom in MO · Jul 27, 2020

KatrinaE said:
I had a tissue valve replacement in October of 2015. All I take is a 80 mg aspirin a day. My Heart doctor will not let me take any ibuprofen. All they let me take is tylenol. I do take the tylenol 8 hour arthritis for aching in legs at night and it really helps! But def check with your doctor to make sure. I know all Doctors are different. This October will be my 5 year annv of my heart surgery and knock on wood no problems. I am almost 60 with 4 and 5 year old grandkids. They keep me busy and moving. I feel so blessed to be able to help take care of them.

From the little I know, a tissue valve does not preclude use of ibuprofen. A mechanical valve and warfarin, mean no chronic use of ibuprofen. That's what I have and I can take up to the maximum over the counter dose for 2 months. Then I have to stop.

You may want to ask your doctor why you cannot take an NSAID. There are many that work for arthritis, that's one of the advantages of a tissue valve, you can take them. Some doctors don't like NSAIDs though and prescribe them sparingly or only at request.