Shortness of Breath 10 Months After AVR

[LaurieC]

Hi! I had aortic valve replacement surgery 10 months ago, with a Hancock II porcine valve. I've felt very well and continue to work full time, but ever since surgery, I get a frequent tightness across the ribs and have minor shortness of breath whenever I bend over, walk inclines and stairs, and occasionally just while brisk walking. Anybody else experience this? Surgery was a piece of cake (well, maybe just a fruitcake), but I've experienced a lot of discomfort/tightness because of what the cardiologist says was caused by my small body surface area (I'm a petite female) and the fact the surgical team had to wire the sternum together so tightly. He said "big guys do better." I'm wondering if the breathlessness is connected to that tight wiring. I've had lots of followup and an echo just last week (no results, yet) and so I'm sure I'm ok. But I don't know anybody who's had surgery who isn't a "big guy," so nobody to relate to. My cardiologist is well respected in his field, but he's quirky; I can't get a straight answer out of him. I was hoping someone out there might say he/she knows what I'm talking about. I'd love to know if this is likely to last or stay with me. Thanks!!!!

 

[Curtsmum]

Cant help with the thread, just wanted to say hi and welcome. I am sure you will get lots of posts from the more experienced members, all the best and good luck. Paula x

 

[Johnny Stephens]

Hi Laurie, and welcome. I'm sure the wires aren't a factor - but this sounds exactly like the fluid retention problems I have. Are you on diuretics? I know that when I pack the water on, I feel just like you describe...almost like I'm wearing a tight girdle or something (not that I would know what that feels like ) I take my diuretics and I'm good as new within 2 hours.

By the way, I'm a "big guy" - at one time I would have looked right at home in a picture of the Cowboys' offensive line. I didn't do so good after my surgery - it was real touch and go for about 10 days.

Best of luck - you might ask your docs about fluid buildup.

YMMV, I'm not a doctor, etc....yada yada..

 

[Sherry]

Hi, Laurie, and welcome to the wonderful world of VR.Com. I am eight years post op, and to be honest with you, I've had many of the same problems you're describing, with the exception of the shortness of breath. I'm am a fairly thin woman (very small ribcage), and a few years after my surgery, my shoulder blade area started acting up. When I would twist my body, I would feel the tightness you're describing. My shoulder actually cracks when I move it back and forth. My regular doc looked at everything from an organ perspective but never really found anything. Just recently, a very astute chiropractor suggested that my problems may very well be due to being wired back together after surgery. He mentioned that one shoulder is noticeably higher than the other one. He also said that he's dealt with enough open heart patients to have seen this a handful of times. I had a CT scan of the area just the other day and am due to see an ortho at the end of the month. I'll post when I find out more.

Best of luck to you and please let us know how you progress.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

As others have suggested, shortness of breath can be caused by excess fluid retention. Have you had a recent echocardiogram? It would be interesting to know your right heart pressure. If your right heart pressure is greater than your lung pressure, fluid will collect very rapidly in your lungs. You may have borderline Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) which is controlled by fluid management with diuretics.

I had a similar 'tight band' feeling shortly after my AVR that eventually did go away (after getting my fluids under control). Sometimes a muscle spasm can also cause a similar feeling. You may want to talk with a Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse about this feeling. There may be some stretching exercises that may help reduce this irritation. Your chest, shoulder, and back muscles were stretched way beyond their normal range of motion during surgery and they can be irritated for some time afterwards.

Hope you get these issues resolved in short order.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Mary]

If you haven't received the results of your echo yet, I would wait and see what the results are. I was sure I had no issues, but the echo showed pericardial constriction. That was the cause of my shortness of breath.

 

[LaurieC]

Thanks, everyone!

Thanks, everyone!

I really appreciate everyone's kind replies! You've given me something to consider and mention to my dr. I do take a diuretic. Haven't missed any, but have noticed a little fluid retention lately that's not normal for me. So glad I found this site and such a caring group of people. It's nice to know you're out there! Thanks, again, and best wishes to all of you!