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“Can I Drive Trucks After Heart Surgery?” Asks Ken
Posted By Adam Pick On January 27, 2009 @ 9:53 am In Heart Surgery Recovery | 9 Comments
Ken just wrote me about potential, physical limitations following heart surgery.
Specifically, Ken writes, “I am a truck driver. Will I be able to drive big rigs or not? They are going to replace my heart valve in February, 2009.”

So you know, since my aortic valve replacement [1], I have completely recovered. That said, I have done every physical activity that I enjoyed prior to surgery. That includes Scuba Diving, running, swimming, hiking, biking – the list could go on. My surgeon, Dr. Vaughn Starnes, did not put any physical limitations on me following my Ross Procedure [2]. (Although Doctor Starnes did suggest that I stay away from lifting heavy weights so as to avoid strain on the valve.)
As for driving trucks, I don’t see why you would prevented from getting behind the wheel of your rig following surgery. However, I would suggest that you play it safe not sorry. So, please ask your surgeon and cardiologist as to (i) whether or not truckdriving should be avoided post-op and (ii) how long after your surgery can you drive a larger vehicle.
10-4 Good Buddy?
Keep on truckin!
Whoops. I meant keep on tickin… too! ![]()

Article printed from Adam's Heart Valve Surgery Blog: http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog
URL to article: http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/01/27/truckdriving-rigs-driving-trucks/
URLs in this post:
[1] my aortic valve replacement: http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/aortic-valve-replacement-surgery.php
[2] my Ross Procedure: http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/ross-procedure-surgery-aortic-valve-replacement.php
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