“What Is The Patient’s Lifespan After Heart Valve Surgery,” Asks Valerie
When diagnosed with severe heart valve disease, most patients have a fundamental question which races through their minds. That question goes a little something like this, “Oh My Gawwwwwd… What Can I Do To Live?!”
Valerie has taken this question a step further… Valerie has been diagnosed with thickened, calcified mitral and aortic valve leaflets and moderate mitral regurgitation. She is almost certain that surgery is required. That said, Valerie’s email to me reads, “Adam - I am very afraid right now. My questions are… After a heart valve repair or replacement, can the patient live a regular long life? What is the lifespan associated with heart valve surgery?”
My response to Valerie first question is a confident… “Yes!” Patient’s can live a regular, long life after heart valve repair and heart valve replacement surgery.
As for her second question…
While I was preparing for my aortic valve replacement, I spent a significant amount of time researching heart valve surgery and the post-operative condition.
Life Expectancy Following Heart Valve Replacement
(Source: St. Jude Medical)
If you look at the graph above, you can see that life expectancy ranges from 29.9 years to 14.3 years for patients experiencing heart valve surgery between the age range of 50 to 70.
While the graph above shares encouraging lifespan data for valve surgery patients, I have had the pleasure of meeting several patients that significantly stretched their life as a result of heart valve repair and/or heart valve replacement operations. Though this website and my book, I have spoke with many patients that had their surgeries 10-, 20-, 30- or even 40-years ago. Yes, you read that right! 40 years ago!!!
This is one more reason I consider heart valve surgery to be a medical miracle rather than a painful curse.
Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery, a unique book which integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of an actual heart valve surgery patient. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.
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October 2nd, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Valerie: Your question is a very good one and Adam’s answer is correct, but too simple. You have to be a very good reader and listener to understand all the statistics. The various types of replacement valves have lifetimes of their own. Some will require replacement in order for you to continue to live. For example: in 2000 I had my Calcified Aortic Valve replaced with a bovine valve. Through my surgeon’s advice I was sure that it would last 10 to 15 years, or longer. What I didn’t hear is his advice that there are statistics that show they fail anywhere from 2 to 18 years. Mine failed in 7.5 years, the statistical mean. So I had it replaced in Nov ‘07 with a new and improved bovine valve.
My choice of a bovine valve is due to the fact that I do not want to deal with coumodin. My life after both surgeries is great in about 90 days. I go through re-hab and become my old self in a very short time. I played singles tennis for two hours this morning, and play twice per week. I am 71 years of age. My energy level is great and I look forward to every day. The surgery is worth it and will give you new life. Follow Adam’s advice on choosing a surgeon. God bless you, Jim Hayden
October 2nd, 2008 at 4:26 pm
DEAR JIM, I JUST ORDERED ADAMS BOOK BECAUSE I WAS TOLD I NEED VALVE REPLACEMENT. I LOOKED ONLINE TODAY HOW THEY DO THE SURGERY AND BECAME SO EMOTIONAL THAT I THOUGHT I WOULD DIE RIGHT THEN.I’M ANGRY, BITTER AND CONFUSED, NO ONE ANSWERS THE QUESTION OF WHY THIS HAPPENED.I NEED AN ANSWER THATS THE KIND OF PERSON I AM. TRUSTING SOMEONE TO CARVE ME UP LIKE A THANKSGIVING DAY TURKEY IS BEYOND WORDS TO EXPLAIN MY FEAR.I WAS A RUNNER/WALKER 10-15 MILES A DAY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME? THE FEAR AND THE BITTERNESS IS GOING TO DESTROY ME. I’M 50 YEARS OLD THIS ISN’T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN, I ASK WHY ME I’VE ALREADY HAD ENOUGH MISERY IN MY LIFE SINCE BIRTH, WHERES GOD!! I CAN’T EVER SEEM TO FIND HIM EITHER.AND TRUST ME I’VE BEEN LOOKING AS FAR BACK AS I CAN REMEMBER!
October 2nd, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I , like Jim Hayden had my aorta valve replaced in 2000 and just visited my cardiologist and he said that I am now getting mild thickening of the leaflets. I was 55 at the time of the surgery and I am now 63 and checking Adam’s blog and various other web sites to learn of new minimally invasive techniques. I wish I had gone with the mechanical valve instead of the bovine tissue valve, because one open heart surgery is enough. Depending on how many years I have left with this bovine valve will determine which valve I get next. I know taking cumadin and having your blood tested regularly is a pain, but so is the surgery. The food thing, Valerie is that you can geet through the surgery . The 5 days in the hospital is the worse and the rest is a piece of cake. Just be prepared for some sort of depression after the operation, but that will pass. I know the anxiety you are feeling, but reading Adam’s book will give you comfort and take it from me, who hates hospital it is do-able. Good luck.
Don
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:25 pm
I just had my aortic valve replaced with a porcine valve four weeks ago. My condition was a bicuspid aortic valve with severe regurgitation. I was told that the degree of defect in my heart was among the worst any of my treaters had seen regardless of age (I am 42) and I was running 30 miles a week up to a five mile run the day before my surgery. with no symptoms. I intend to start work again this comng Monday and am feeling great. I am back to a fast walk of 3 miles a day as of today (main limitation is discomfort in the incision area as oposed to lack of endurance). My cardiologist and Dr. Starnes both told me that my life span wirthout the surgery could be measured in the single digits. With the replacement it would be a normal life span. Yes, I may (probably will) need another replacement given my choice, but who knows where technology will be in ten, 15 or 20 years. I went in on a Tuesday and was home by 5 pm the same Friday. This was my first trip to the hospital for ANY procedure.
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I had a mitral valve repair seven weeks ago and am fine. At age 66, I hope to have 20 more years of life. But the reason I had the surgery is because a month before the surgery I went into atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. I am now in chronic atrial fibrillation with very enlarged atria but strong ventricles. I am permanently on coumadin. ( A modified maze procedure and cardioversion had been tried during surgery and my cardiologist says the arrhythmia is permanent.) I have not seen chronic atrial fibrillation and life span addressed.
Adam, do you know anything about this?
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Dear Sally, We understand how you feel and it’s completely normal for you to feel that way. You took the first positive step by buying Adam’s book. It’s thorough and a good read and it will help prepare you for what’s ahead. If you’re looking for answers about how/why this happened, forget it. Childhood illness, genetics, why does it matter? The fact is you need this surgery per your doctors and you would do well to seek at least a second opinion. As Adam has always suggested, find the best surgeon you can. The wonderful news is that you have choices because there are valve surgery experts located throughout the country. Find the best you can and make sure you have confidence in them. That will be the next step in putting your mind at ease. Someone on this blog, I don’t remember who, noted that “if something were to happen to you during the operation, well, you’ll be under anesthesia and therefore, you’ll never consiously know it”. As taken aback by that statement as I was, I came to realize the absolute truth in those words. It’s not about the operation you’re facing Sally, it’s about the quality of the life that you’ll enjoy after your surgery. I was told by my doctors that if I did nothing to repair my severely leaky mitral and tricuspid valves, I would die. My lungs were filling up with fluid, my extremeties were swelling with edema…I was dying! I am almost 90 days past surgery, 52 years old and I feel like I’m 35. Find the inner strength to push your anger and fear aside. Get busy putting your ducks in a row, find the right hospital and surgical team for YOU and after that Sally — rest easy dear. My whole experience was 70% better than I thought it would be. I promise you, yours will be too. You’ll be back running and walking in a very short time.
October 3rd, 2008 at 4:44 am
My husband had mitral valve repair done 5 years ago. We are now told he has mitral stenosis. This is very very rare after repair we are told. He is looking at having another open heart surgery with valve replacement this time. I am scared to death. What does this mean to his long term health and life span? I would appreciate input from anyone with good news about this situation. I am terrified for him.
October 3rd, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Dear Sally, As Dave stated, your response is normal. The thing to remember is that life happens to all of us. We are all either entering a storm, currently in a storm or coming out of a storm. The difference is how each of us reacts in times of trouble. Don’t look for blame, you have to learn to accept what you cannot change. As already stated, your reponse is “normal” but you cannot dwell on the negative. Maybe this is just what you need to become stronger. I know that my health has changed for the better due to having my aortic valve replaced. And just so you’ll know, God is where He’s always been, waiting on us to trust in Him completely.
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Valerie and Sally,
You’ve come to the right place for questions and good answers! All of us have been there and we don’t want anyone to be scared!
As for me, I had my aortic valve replaced ten weeks ago. I am 56 and had no symptoms - regular doctor just heard a heart murmur last year. I was in the Army for 22 years, running and all that. Surgeon said that two leaflets on my valve had fused, for some reason,and the valve needed replacing.
I won’t tell you there was no pain, but it was at all times bearable and gets better all the time. I stopped myself from thinking too hard about the carved up part! I am just so glad to have a new part!
It’s like when you get a new fuel injector on your car - the whole motor runs better! I am walking several miles each morning and plan on running soon. I am back at work - and I drive an 18 wheeler! - this week.
Sally - where’s God? Right here in this blog and in Adam’s book. God can’t, by the way he set up His world, keep everything bad from happening to us. Wouldn’t work if we were just puppets. Accidents and illness happen to good folks and bad. But the ones who reach out to others find immense comfort there. One thing I did during recovery when I was tempted to feel sorry for myself was to go visit folks who were hospitalized or in nursing homes! They were much worse off!
We know it’s hard. But reach out, let others help you and help whomever you can. Soon you’ll be on this blog telling others it wasn’t so bad! Read Dave Richards’ words again - he’s right on! Keep us posted as to how you are doing. There are very nice people here.
Keeping you in my prayers,
Becca
October 8th, 2008 at 10:18 am
HI MY NAME IS BOBBIE AND I’M A 49 YEAR OLD FEMALE AND I HAVE A LEAKAGE DON’T KNOW WHICH ONE IT IS DON’T EVEN KNOW IF I WILL NEED SURGERY .I HAD A HEART ATTACK BACK IN 95 A MASSAVE ONE THEY PUT ME ON MEDS NOW I HAVE THE LEAK THE DOC SAYS THAT IT COULD HAVE CAME UP WHEN I HAD MY HEART ATTACK IN 95 NOW THAT SEEMS LIKE A LONG TIME TO ME TO HAVE HAD THIS LEAKAGE AND I’VE HAD A HEART MUMOR JUST AS LONG.I JUST DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO THE DOC HAS NOT AT THIS TIME SAID ANY THING ABOUT SURGERY,AND I DO HAVE SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS SOME TIMES MY HEART WILL BEAT IN THE LOW FIFTYS THE DOC SAID THAT IF IT GETS IN THE THIRTYS I WILL NEED A PASSMAKER. THANK YOU BOBBIE
October 8th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Dear Sally, I know how dark and overwhelming life can turn when we receive news as significant and scary as you have. My son, John, was living and enjoying life at a clip, and on Feb 1st of this year, it all came to a schreeching halt. He was told he needed immediate sugery to replace a calcified, very narrow bicuspid aortic valve and on top of that, needed to repair a significant aneurysm (a near blow out spot) in his ascending aorta, the artery that feeds blood to the head and brain from the heart. Imagine that, married only 3 years, at 36 years of age, with young family to care for! And Mom and Dad (us) were thrown into the same pit of despair along with them.
We cried so much we couldn’t sleep, eat, barely made it throught the motions of every day, having, all of us, responsible jobs that we had to pay attention to, especially when we would be faced with a multitude of expenses soon. We spent endless hours searching and researching, looking (and overlooking), on the phone, online, at doctors offices and inquiring from everyone who would listen. We were miserable and we were getting sik from it. One day, at about 2 in the morning, I was exhausted with red eyes from crying, and tired of thinking and praying, I too asked, God, where are you now that we need you so. Surprisingly, I moved my tired hands back on my keyboard, and clicked once more on “heart valves” topics. As if to say, “here I am”, “I am here to hold you up all night long so you can do this I am here so I can give you strength so you can go to your nursing job tomorrow with only a couple hours of sleep and still make it through the day. I am here so you can hide your fear from your son and smile at him and assure him all will be alright. And just then, Adam’s website appeared on screen, his handsome face on a little square on the upper left hand corner, his book in front of me. I cried once more because I felt as though warm arms were embracing me and I felt as though God had taken my shoulders and turned me and said “here, this is where I want you to look, here”, and “here I am , with you, as I have always been, waiting for you to recognize that I am always with you.”
From then on, I am not going to say it was easy, but we were able to do the best we could to find a surgeon, a hospital, to make it through the most difficult thing we have gone through in our lives, and yet to learn that most things are not under our control and that those things we had to let go and let God. From that moment, a peace I canot describe carried us through. Today, 6 months later, John has had his six months checkup and echo cardiogram. I hear his heart’s “lob-dob” sounds as I never heard it before, no whooosh, no blow, no pounding, And I know that God is there too.
I encourage you to change your point of view to : Wow, how lucky I am that I live in these times, where something can be done about my heart and I can continue to live my life (after a short rest!) to serve others who may need my encouragment too. How blessed you are! It will help you move from victim to victorious!!!
God Bless You dear, do your research to the best of your ability and trust in Him. You will do fine when you have a positive mind.
Mercy (mother of John, Ross Procedure March 5,2008, University of Florida/ Shands Hosp. )–look up on search box: JOHN TURAN–and you will read a happy story!
For you Sally, God was there with you when you were told you need to have surgery now. He could have been somewhere else and you could have gone along with a sick heart until one day it gave out, without the wonderful opportunity to get a new chance.
October 9th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Hi, I haven’t been on the website for awhile, as I had my severely regurgitating mitral valve repaired 3 weeks ago - two leaflets were involved (Barlow’s valve disease). I am 71 yo and had a murmur all my life, was diagnosed in the 70’s with mitral valve prolapse when the echocardiogram machine became available. In June I was informed that I was a candidate for repair surgery, and started doing research. The best advice I found was from Adam’s book and articles on repair that stressed the importance of getting the repair done at a: 1) center of excellence, 2) that does high volume repairs, and 3) by a mitral valve repair expert, meaning that he has done 100 - 200 repairs as opposed to replacements.
I started by googling “centers of excellence for mitral valve repair” and began my education. The sharing on this website has been helpful and encouraging.
I was able to get the repair and with minimally invasive robot assisted surgery. I have been told that I am now healthier than I have ever been. I’m looking forward to starting Cardiac Rehab to condition my heart and body. I am walking daily, and feeling stronger each day.
My understanding is that after MV repair one has a normal life expectancy.
Winona
October 20th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I had valve replacement in February of 2007,since surgery i can’t do the stuff I use to I get out breath,stat sweating if i do anything strenious,an dhave had heart attack since,this past june,while i was in hospital in Ohio the cardiologist there ran some test,said my valve may not be big enough for my body size,also I had mechanical valve pu tin,my parents wanted me to get 3 or 4 opinions,but being stubborn,I wanted i tdon’t right away,now at 36,I can’t work an dstill get some pain,especially when I cough or sneeze? Any sugestions? Very Depressed,for now i find out the hospital i had surgery is no teven in top 50 percent of hospitals who specialize in this type surgery.Very upset,so is my parents,not workin gwaiting for social Security.
October 23rd, 2008 at 4:54 pm
i have had an aortic valve replacement at the age of 33.It was out of the blue though i had noticed some shortness of breath. I was sitting at home watching tv when i got a sharp pain in my throat followed by pains in my teeth and back followed up by loss of use of my arm and leg on the left side, this was at the end of march 08 and recovery has been slow but i am getting there, i had a mechanical valve inserted or should i say the surgeons had it inserted, these are great people the brought me back from the brink of death,have just got my blood to stabilise and the only question i cant get an answere to is how long will the mechanical valve last. Thank You For Your Ear
November 16th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Adam,you are great.My Question is are there things that you can do that will damage your valve?Mine is a ST.Jude I had it replaced Feb.19th 2001 at the age of 41.Thank You,Tami Crum
December 29th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
My 17 yr. old Son, Tristan, went into A-fib in Feb. of ‘08 and was rushed to the emergency room at a hospital. He thought that he was congested, and coming down with the flu. Up until that time, he had always been a picture of health and he didn’t even have a family physician. After many tests were done in the Intensive Care Dept. by a Cardiologist, we found out that Tristan has Bicuspic Aortic Valve, and it’s leaking. His Aortic root has gone from mildy leaking in Feb. to moderately leaking in August. It is only a matter of time before he has to have his Aortic Valve either repaired or replaced. As if that isn’t enough of a nightmare, another dillema is that Tristan is only a Senior in High School, and after he graduates from College, he’ll no longer be able to stay covered under mine & my Ex-Husband’s medical insurance. I don’t believe that any future employer of Tristan’s is ever going to cover his congenital heart condition (pre-existing), so if he has a mechanical heart valve he will have to pay for Coumadin out of his own pocket for the rest of his life. Does anyone know if there is any type of assistance with medical bills in a situation like this? It’s very discouraging to Tristan, who is very intelligent, because he knows that even if he gets an excellent job after he graduates from College, that most of his paycheck will go towards medical bills, due to no health insurance coverage. I am 52 yrs. old, and I won’t rest until I find a solution to Tristan’s medical care coverage (or lack of), because it’s just not fair for him to have to face this medical ins. problem, in addition to having to undergo open heart surgery, probably before his next birthday. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. Any and ALL prayers are greatly appreciated too! I feel like I’m having a nervous breakdown, and I would gladly trade places with Tristan without hesitation, if I only could!
December 30th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Kathy,
Tristan will not be without insurance, as if he is covered today by yourself or your husband, he will simply transfer to his own without the pre existing coverage of one year being enforced. If he is not currently insured when he does get insured he will have to go through 1 year of his insurance not covering him for a year. On the nice side of this is coumadin is cheap at 16 dollars a month, and even the cardiologist visits for his coumadin levels which are needed, are at 40 dollars a month. Also under the law they cannont refuse him insurance for his medical problems, but they can have the pre existing conditions for a year enforced. I suspect you have insurance already for him, so he is covered until he gets his own job, or turns 25.
January 20th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
My husband is 31 years old and had his mirtal valve replaced with a bovine valve in May 2007. He had a follow up ECHO last week that show he has slight calcification or narrowing of the valve. Does anyone know what this means? Is this a normal or a complication? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
February 5th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I’ve had my aorta valve replaced 3 times. The first time when I was 27. That valve came loose after 7 years. I was aware of the symptoms and made it to the hospital in time. That valve lasted 23 years and it too came loose. Luckily, I was able to get the help I needed and had it replaced. I am now 61 and have had three pacemakers installed. They too wear and the newer ones are so much better. While I must admit I have had my share of problems, my outlook has never changed. I feel like I have been blessed with a good life and have done everything I wanted. You will have certain limitations, learn them and accept them. I have been on Coumadin since 1977 and by continuing to follow my regular blood test, no problem. I think if you need to have it, go into the surgery with a positive attitude. Don’t try to be your own doctor, it’s not worth it. Good luck to you, stay positive.
March 23rd, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Hi Everyone,
Your advice would be greatly appreciated:
I’m 28 years of age and was given a new aortic mechanical heart valve in October 2008. Before the surgey I was told that I had severe regurgitation, and stenosis was severe. I was still able to run around the football pitch and run for miles and only experienced the odd shortness of breath which was completely normal to me. My condition is a congenital one and I am a healthy wait and eat what I would consider to be a balanced and healthy diet.
For the first time since my surgery I have started to get some shortness of breath again. Pretty much the same feeling I had before the operation, but It only tends to happen in the evening when I’m sat on the sofa or lying in bed. It’s enough to worry me but I’m not sure if I’m being paranoid!
I have started jogging again at a reasonable pace twice a week but limiting myself to 4 miles which I do in about 28 minutes. Each time I run I continue to cough for around 20 minutes after the run, no fluid but a wheezing type of cough. This happens after every run. (never had this before).
I have a check up coming up soon and I’m sure all is well but I just wondered if anyone else experiences this? I am on warfarin for life and my INR range is consistantly in range. Are my side effects as a consequence of the warfarin????
Your views and advice would be greatly appeciated.
Thanks everyone,
D