mechanical-heart-valve-noise-may-cause-sleepless-nights

[perrybucsdad]

I remember when I told my oldest grandaughter (she is 6) that I swallowed a clock like the alligator in Peter Pan. She gave me the strangest look, and then I told her to come and listen to my chest and she had this amazed look on her face.

 

[dornole]

My wife CAN'T sleep when I travel as she is so used to the clicking. I bought her an old wind-up clock that she can stick under the sheets or a pillow that delivers the same sort of noise for her.

There's all kinds of crazy 12-hour recordings of sounds on the internet along these lines, as I discovered when my son (who developed tinnitus) was looking for masking sounds. There was one of "CPAP machine" that he liked. One of the commenters, a widower, said it was comforting because it reminded him of his wife.

 

[Jeff Lebowski]

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[Jeff Lebowski]

my mechanical aortic valve works like a Swiss watch. I don't know about you, but I am happy to hear this sound

 

[AZATADINE]

my mechanical aortic valve works like a Swiss watch. I don't know about you, but I am happy to hear this sound

Jeepers.....thats a fair old banging going on.....personally I think that's drive me nuts but I suppose I'd get used to it after a while.

 

[3mm]

I normally do not hear my On-X mechanical aortic valve. However, I will hear it and feel it when the frequency of my PVCs (premature ventricular contractions) becomes too high. This would be if perhaps 20% of my heartbeats are PVCs. This is useful feedback because at that PVC loading I may get lightheaded, fatigued, out of breath, etc.

 

[tjay]

I've On-X mechanical, 4.5 months post-op. It's VERY loud but I haven't had any issue with it. I'm otherwise very sensitive to sound/noise and light while sleeping but I've been sleeping more sound post-op than every before
Finding valve noise bothersome must vary significantly from person-to-person.

 

[RobThatsMe]

My On-X is loud. All my doctors comment on that. When I go into a crowded elevator, I will open my mouth to form an "0", then watch for the reactions of those around me as they hear my megaphone valve.
I real beneficial side to it being loud, is that it helps me know exactly when my heart goes into A-Fib. I can hear it and feel it beating irregularly.

Happy Clicking,
Rob

 

[pellicle]

real beneficial side to it being loud, is that it helps me know exactly when my heart goes into A-Fib

Agreed, totally picked my tachycardia issue in its early days.
It's also useful when I'm training to know my HR and my recovery response

 

[3mm]

I bought a cheap stethoscope with which I can listen to my heart when I think something is wrong. For example, my PVCs are very obvious on the stethoscope. It helps me understand my body better.

 

[dornole]

I have On-X in mitral position - I can hear it if things are quiet and I open my mouth. To me it sounds exactly like an old mechanical watch, except faster and not as perfectly regular. It doesn’t bother me at all.

 

[Habana58]

I've On-X mechanical, 4.5 months post-op. It's VERY loud but I haven't had any issue with it. I'm otherwise very sensitive to sound/noise and light while sleeping but I've been sleeping more sound post-op than every before
Finding valve noise bothersome must vary significantly from person-to-person.

I never heard my OnX during past 9 years, i know is there, because take warfarin

 

[3mm]

To me it sounds exactly like an old mechanical watch, except faster and not as perfectly regular.

Does your cardiologist know about these irregular heartbeats?

My On-X aortic valve sounds irregular when I am having premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs). That is something I discuss with my cardiologist because PVCs can cause heart damage, and/or be a sign of other problems.

 

[Buck83]

Like many of you, my On-X is extremely loud. People hear it everywhere I go. 2 1/2 years post OHS, I had hoped it would quiet down some. If anything it’s louder now than right after surgery. Also, like many of you have said, it makes you hypersensitive to any kind of arrhythmia. PVC’s and PAC’s, and definitely AFIB, are very noticeable. PVC’s about 18 months ago gave me crippling cardiac anxiety. The weren’t real frequent but I knew every time I had 1. After a year of anxiety meds and multiple talks with medical professionals I have turned a corner and stopped worrying about them. My cardiologist says everyone has them and I probably had them before the valve and they aren’t dangerous unless it’s constant.

 

[dornole]

Does your cardiologist know about these irregular heartbeats?

My On-X aortic valve sounds irregular when I am having premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs). That is something I discuss with my cardiologist because PVCs can cause heart damage, and/or be a sign of other problems.

I don’t think these are irregular heartbeats … it is just not as regular as a clock ticking. I can hear some subtle variability. I’m seeing Electrophysiology on Monday for a check in. They will interrogate the pacemaker so I think that should provide good data in addition to the ekg I’m sure they will do. The pacemaker people actually called me once to let me know I had afib and ask if I felt symptoms which was wild. Don’t think there have been more episodes but we will see!

Does your valve sound very steady like a clock, normally?

 

[newarrior]

my mechanical aortic valve works like a Swiss watch. I don't know about you, but I am happy to hear this sound

View attachment 890724

Interesting that so many people like to hear the sound of the mechanical heart valve I personally think it would drive me crazy flush it would be socially awkward especially if you became single and we're dating. It's interesting that so many people find the ticking funny or reassuring but I think it would be a nightmare. I got rechecked out by doctors at UCSF Cardiology Center and the doctor brought that up as well without me saying a word. Thank God I'm turning 62 next month getting older is a blessing as I still haven't had the surgery yet I'm definitely going to go down the tissue valve route but again to each their own

 

[Jeff Lebowski]

I personally think it would drive me crazy flush it would be socially awkward especially if you became single and we're dating.

I am 52 years old and I no longer care what people think. I am also not bothered at all by the sound of my mechanical aortic valve, it is there working like a table clock, which is a comfort to me. Sometimes I focus on that sound and I am grateful that I am still alive, many things other than health are not worth thinking too much about and worrying about.

 

[RobThatsMe]

Yes, my doctor is aware. my heart beats normal most of the time.
I have also had a Double Ablation.

The 3 huge contributors to A-Fib are Stress, Alcohol and Lack of Sleep. Guilty of all 3 at times..

Cheers,
Rob

 

[3mm]

Does your valve sound very steady like a clock, normally?

Yes. But it is quiet; usually I need a stethoscope to hear my heartbeat.

 

[newarrior]

I am 52 years old and I no longer care what people think. I am also not bothered at all by the sound of my mechanical aortic valve, it is there working like a table clock, which is a comfort to me. Sometimes I focus on that sound and I am grateful that I am still alive, many things other than health are not worth thinking too much about and worrying about.

Good not to care what people think and then there's reality. It could be really socially awkward if you were single and have little to no family. It's also a serious mental problem some people end up doing the surgery again and getting a tissue valve because they can't stand the ticking I know of at least a few people that have committed suicide from the ticking. I've already got ringing of the ears for 28 years I'm already hearing noises in my head since December 1996 Duty hearing loss I don't need a second sound coming out of my body but again to each their own.. having a sound coming out of your body is abnormal reminds you that you're have an
artificial valve.