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“When Is The Heart And Sternum Healed?” Asks Kerrigan

Posted on March 19th, 2009 under Patient Stories & Updates.

Earlier today, Kerrigan and I exchanged emails about the recovery from open heart surgery. Specifically, we discussed the physical healing of the broken sternum and the heart.

In one of his emails, Kerrigan wrote, “I was wondering how long after surgery is the heart considered “healed” as far as the incisions and reattachment of aorta? Thanks, Kerrigan”

Open Heart Surgery Diagram With Chest Retracted

While I have some pretty good thoughts, research and experience on the healing time required for a stitched heart and broken sternum, I am ALWAYS APPREHENSIVE about issuing estimates for patient healing and recovery.

“Why?” you may be wondering.

Well… Healing and recovery is a personal, patient process. Some patients heal faster than others. And, conversely, some patients heal slower than others. I’m a good example. I was told by many people that I’d be fully recovered 8 weeks after the operation. Guess what? In my case, that was grossly inaccurate.

For this reason, I asked Kerrigan to contact his medical team to get their opinions on sternum and heart healing.

Kerrigan Discusses Heart And Sternum Healing

Kerrigan – Heart Valve Surgery Patient

Shortly afterward, I received an interesting, follow-up email from Kerrigan that states, “Hi Adam: I had my baseline echocardiogram yesterday and the valve is doing fine, everything within parameters. The heart is slightly enlarged which is common with older patients who have a congenital defect. I asked about heart healing and was told that at 6 weeks the heart is considered fully healed. The sternum is considered fused enough for weight restrictions to be lifted at 3 months and completely rejoined at 6 months. The important cardiac rehab classes continue at 3 times a week now for my 12 week program. Thanks again for your website and your book!”

While Kerrigan’s note offers good, clinical insight into his original questions… Please, please, please remember that each patient case is unique and that healing rates vary patient-by-patient.

Keep on tickin!

About Adam Pick – Patient Advocate

A dad, a husband and a patient, Adam founded this website in 2006 to educate you about heart valve surgery from diagnosis to recovery. More...

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Larry Starbuck says on March 19th, 2009 at 1:46 pm

I was wondering why Barbara Bush had the full sternotomy surgery given the availability of the minimally invasive operation.

Winona Blake says on March 19th, 2009 at 3:11 pm

Interesting question, Adam.
When I was in cardiac rehab, one of the senior nurses told me that she had been asked by a senior cardiac surgeon what her experience has been with the time that it takes for open heart patients to be really healed from the surgery. She has also worked with patients longterm in the health and exercise program that is affiliated with the hospital, where many patients go after cardiac rehab. She said that she told him 12 months to really heal. I have heard that many times.
My primary doctor said that it takes that long for the scar in the heart to completely heal, because that tissue never has an opportunity to rest. she used the metaphor that a sprained wrist heals faster than a sprained ankle because we can rest the wrist, but have to keep using the ankle to get around.
That makes sense to me.
I just celebrated my 6 month anniversary from Mitral Valve repair, at age 71. I think about the above info when I have pushed myself too much and then pay for it. Helps me to be patient and let myself continue the healing process.
Winona

SpikeSpriesterbach says on March 19th, 2009 at 3:40 pm

My cardiologist told me the heart normally takes about 6 months to fully accept the handling and new parts ( mine was a porcine mitral valve and Maze procedure) and the sternum was fully recovered in a year.

jerry says on March 19th, 2009 at 4:22 pm

Excellent question and response, thanks.

Edmund Tagliamonte says on March 19th, 2009 at 4:41 pm

If anyone thinks that it takes less than a year to heal from the over all procedure they are sadly mistaken. Be they doctor, or patient. I was reborn on July 16 2008. New aortic valve and, mitral vavle repair. I was 79 years old on that day.

Nancy Scbarf says on March 19th, 2009 at 6:11 pm

I had a mitral commissurotomy with the sternum opened when I was 36. At the time, with children ages 6, 4, and 4 mos. All seemed to have completely healed within 3 months as I was then instructed only to have yearly Dr. visits. I’d say this was a quick recovery.
I then had my mitral valve replaced 7 yrs. ago, at Northwestern in Chicago. I was 65, The post-op care was not good and I had many many complications. My local cardiologist, Dr. David Beiser, took charge and actually saved my life; for which I am very grateful. This surgery took me 3 months of steady care before having 3 month intervals between Dr. visits. After 1 year, Dr. Beiser recommended a pacemaker be inserted, since I did not have the energy to do my required walking. Since my recovery from that (probably 6 weeks) I have been able to walk daily as well as exercise in the water several times a week. All Drs. say I am fine at this time. My only real problem is working to keep my weight down at a healthy level.

My comment is this: Do all the research you can, before surgery. It is not only important to have the best fit in surgeons. The hospital care, after surgery is very very important.

Ross Parrott says on March 19th, 2009 at 8:30 pm

Does anyone please have a definition of what fully healed means.

Does it mean:
1. being able to live the life one had before (1 year say) your operation, without pain, breathlessness, fatigue and fully healed sternum scar (except for the purple line)? or

2. able to exercise at a specified rate without exceeding a specified pulse?

3. being able to exercise as before but without risking damage to the heart tissue, the sternum scar and the sternum proper?

4. the time when the patient can legally drive a car?

5. other?

It is an important definition because it also specifies the rate at which
the patient can fully get on with life.

I am now on 14 weeks post – op and walk about 2km up a grade of about 3 degrees twice a week and swim 600m x 3 times a week. My heart is still in controlled arterial fibrilation (irregular beat, pulse only 85 after breakfast) and I experience mild tightness (not pain) in my chest after only 100m of walking.

The cardiologist (satisifed with TEE result) and GP are no help.

I just hope my exercise is not doing any damage or delaying complete recovery.

tom lamont says on March 19th, 2009 at 9:35 pm

I was under the impression that my sternum would be healed in 3 months after surgery. It is now 3 months, but there remains some discomfort when sleeping in certain positions. I tried hitting golf balls and there was some residual discomfort. I also find some numbness on the left side of my chest.

jeff stoveken says on March 20th, 2009 at 7:25 am

my sternum hurt for the first month. after that i only felt discomfort at times. its been approx 6 months now and i recently over did it with my snowblower. ive had minor pain at times since that day and i realize now that i shouldve refrained even though i felt great beforehand. my advice is to start out slowly and try to remember that youve had major surgery (easy to forget the better you feel).otherwise mine has felt fine. i am able to perform all of my normal household chores. firewood stacking etc. jeffstoveken@yahoo.com

Jennifer From Charlotte says on March 23rd, 2009 at 6:50 am

I think everybody heals differently. But more than a year after my open heart at 32, my sternum proper shifted. I had a cat-acan and it confirmed that I have a divett or small valley. My sternum moved apart and the wires are holding it together. If and when I ned to replace my mitral valve and have open heart surgery again; I will requests my wires to be double tied. Take care

Kerrigan says on March 23rd, 2009 at 6:34 pm

I think it’s important to say the doctors and professionals I’ve spoken to about my own healing and recovery always preface their comments with “everyone heals at a different rate”. Following the discharge guidelines the hospital gave me post-op has been important for me in my own work to recover at a reasonable pace.

cecilia esco says on April 14th, 2009 at 4:03 am

i just want to have an idea about mitral valve replacement because my husband had a surgery 5 months ago.so far he is doing good but easily cath colds and cough his doctor says its due to allergy. sometimes he takes his allergy medication prescribed by his doctor. how long it will take him to drive again. he is hesitant to do his usual activities

Ina Buysse says on April 28th, 2009 at 7:13 pm

I had an aortic valve replacemnet in July of 2008. Almost 10 months ago! I am still experiencing sternum discomfort. I would like to know how many other people have experienced this slow of healing and if perhaps I am doing something wrong. My husband is disabled with MS so I did not have alot of help after surgery. I did have help for the first 2 weeks. Also I still have breast tenderness. Please give me a ray of sunlight here. I need to know that this is will come to an end! My kidneys, pancreas and thyroid also quit functioning correctly before surgery. They are now just back to normal. Has this ever happened to any one else?

Carol Lang says on April 29th, 2009 at 1:06 pm

Dear Ina,
My AVR was in June 2008, so I can totally relate to your discomfort question. There are still times, “when I least expect it”, that I am reminded that I have had this surgery. It might be just taking out the garbage & lifting it into the bin, closing my glass sliding doors, or picking up my 22 lb. Boston Terrier. I have been repeatedly told that it takes 1 full year to completely heal. You are not doing anything wrong. Time is a great healer. Let us all know how you have progressed in July of 2009. I’m guessing those few months will make a world of difference! Until then, “chin up” & “chest out”!