What's that sound?!?

[Mama2Rylan]

Hey Everyone...I'm new to this website...I was recently told that I need to have heart surgery to fix my aortic valve...so I have been going back and forth on which kind of valve to choose...(so many things to consider) I know this might sound a little lame but I would like to know how noisy the mechanical valves really are...my doctor told me that I would be able to hear it but it wouldn't ruin my life...what do you all think??

 

[bvdr]

Welcome to this board. I have a St. Jude in the mitral position and although I can sometimes hear it the noise isn't bad at all. It is most noticable to me in the bathtub, in a small tiled room like a doctor's exam room, elevators, or other rooms with very little to absorb the sound. At one time there was a site where you could listen to various valves and I picked the St.Jude and the carbomedics as being the sounds I felt were the least likely to be annoying to me. I think you just get used to it. Most of the time I forget I even have it.

 

[Mama2Rylan]

omg..that makes me feel better...its not so much myself that i am worried about but to have to contionusly explain my heart situation to people that dont really understand what i'm going through gets a little rough...that may sound rude but i always feel they look at me like im different..thats why its so nice to have a place like this to talk to people who actully know what its like

 

[Karlynn]

Mama2Rylan Welcome! I went almost 12 years without knowing anyone else that had a valve replacement, then I foud this site and it was like finding a whole new family who knew exactly what I was talking about.

I've had my St. Jude mitral valve for over 13 years. Like Betty, I can sometimes hear it when in a very small, quiet place, sometimes softly at night, but it's never been a disturbance to me. Sitting here at the computer typing, I can't hear it.

When will you be having your surgery? There is a lot of good information here for pre-surgery members, so dig in.

 

[Mary]

Hey Everyone...I'm new to this website...I was recently told that I need to have heart surgery to fix my aortic valve...so I have been going back and forth on which kind of valve to choose...(so many things to consider) I know this might sound a little lame but I would like to know how noisy the mechanical valves really are...my doctor told me that I would be able to hear it but it wouldn't ruin my life...what do you all think??

You might want to check out Raecee's thread in small talk about valve noise. It's titled, Volume of My Tick, and it's still on the Small talk forum display.

 

[Mama2Rylan]

Thanks for all the responses...I will be having my aortic valve replaced on August 19th at Mayo Clinic...I know the sound shouldnt be that big of deal when you look at the whole picture but you know how some people can be...especially the younger crowd (i am 23 yrs old) but oh well...there is not much i can do about it i guess... does anyone happen to know the site where you can hear what the valves sound like? i thought someone might have mentioned that earlier well thanks for the responses!!

 

[Ross]

There is one, but the sounds aren't that accurate and would represent what they sound like through a stethoscope and not to just yourself. I can only hear mine in a totally quiet room or if by some silly chance that I get excited, but that's it. Everyone says something different, so it has to be affected by body accoustics. I'll see if I can find that link to the different sounds. Here ya go:

http://www.carbomedics.com/patients_how_ticking.asp

 

[coryp]

I normally try not to get into these discussions on the board but I feel it appropriate to let you know that it really depends on the type of person you are. Like everything in life with a little time it always gets better, BUT I had VR 6 weeks today (happy anniversary to me and Mary) and went with a Bovine tissue valve for various reasons I will not post now. Anyway after surgery I have found that my heart (not valve) beats loudly (as it is supposed to) and it bugs me especially at night because the pressure goes into the ears (I think the valve noise is different). I did not go tissue because of the noise as a main reason but it was one of reasons that lead me to that decision.

Cory

 

[Johnny Stephens]

Mama2Rylan

Mama2Rylan

Hello - well I can offer my experience. I have two mechanical valves, and NO, the ticking noise has not ruined my life.

Mine are pretty loud, the doctors and techs tell me, but the only people that have ever mentioned the noise are people that know I have the valves. Most of them think it's fascinating, and the comments are like "wow, that's really something - listen to that!"

To put this in perspective, there is no way you could hear my valves over normal conversation. To hear them, we'd have to stop talking, and you'd have to cock your head just right. Conditions have to be just right.

Again, this is ME. There are likely others with a different experience.

My diuretics have caused me WAAAAY more grief than the subtle ticking.

 

[perkicar]

There is one, but the sounds aren't that accurate and would represent what they sound like through a stethoscope and not to just yourself. I can only hear mine in a totally quiet room or if by some silly chance that I get excited, but that's it. Everyone says something different, so it has to be affected by body accoustics. I'll see if I can find that link to the different sounds. Here ya go:

http://www.carbomedics.com/patients_how_ticking.asp

Very cool. I have a carbomedics and it sounds JUST LIKE the one in the link. (good thing, huh!!). I can hear it at night and when I'm somewhere quiet, but it doesn't bother me at all. They've already all listened to me at work LOL, but they thought the murmur I had before surgery was alot more impressive!

 

[karlaosh]

I'm still surprised how loud my valve is. In a quiet room, others can hear it. And I can certainly hear it, in small rooms and large. I AM getting used to it, but that doesn't mean I don't hear it.

Of course I'm grateful for the second shot at life this valve is giving me, and I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but still...I WISH IT WEREN"T SO LOUD!

 

[lance]

Ticking valve

Ticking valve

Hello Mama2Rylan

My mechanical was installed 6 years ago. At that time I could hear the ticking and it didn't bother me a bit. Somewhat like and old-fashioned wind-up watch, very soothing when I was falling asleep. Now I never hear it even when I listen and in a way I miss it.

There are a couple of reasons I wish I had a tissue valve but the clicking of the mechanical was never one of them.

Cheers

 

[cocoalab]

Thought you might like this story

Thought you might like this story

Hey Everyone...I'm new to this website...I was recently told that I need to have heart surgery to fix my aortic valve...so I have been going back and forth on which kind of valve to choose...(so many things to consider) I know this might sound a little lame but I would like to know how noisy the mechanical valves really are...my doctor told me that I would be able to hear it but it wouldn't ruin my life...what do you all think??

Andrew had a St Judes valve for 9 years. When he first got it I could hear it when I walked in his room at night( Rather reassuring to his mom here.) But as he grew it got harder to hear. I would put my head on his chest if I wanted to hear it, or when his heart rate got real high (160's) I could hear it more distinctly.

Well this story happened back in September or so when I needed to take him to the opthamolagist to check out some vision issues. We were in this little room and the Dr comes in and starts the exam. We have filled out his history and talked some I think, and he says do you hear a ticking? I couldn't and Andrew said it's me I think he means his watch but it is digital . I still didn't think about it, and then it hits me, "oh that's his valve". It was rather funny. I tell you ,these doctors don't read these histories very well or maybe at all. LOL I had really forgotten about it being a noticable sound. Andrew has said he misses the ticking now that he has the tissue valve.