Vertigo, Headaches & Vision Problems After Heart Valve Surgery… Can You Help Mandy?
I just received a very interesting email from Mandy about heart valve surgery, vertigo, headaches and vision complications after heart surgery. As you can read below, Mandy is asking for all of our help.
Mandy With Her Two Children
Mandy writes to me, “Hi Adam, I had valve replacement on September 16, 2009. I am 34 years old. I am doing really well but I am having some vision disturbances and periods of vertigo. At first it was just vision disturbances and I wrote it off as ocular headaches. Then, I started having difficulty walking straight with these vision disturbances. I looked on-line and found transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) as a possible cause. I do not take Coumadin anymore because I have a bovine valve. My question is… Did you or any of your readers have similar experiences and if so what has been done? Thanks! Mandy”
While I do seem to have more headaches after my aortic valve replacement, I did not experience vertigo or vision loss during my recovery. However, I have met several patients that experience similar issues during their recovery.
In fact, I just received an email from Geoff Beale who writes, “I had a mitral valve repair done May 6th, 2008. Starting that week I had blurred vision from time-to-time that would trigger a headache.”
Geoff Beale - Having Vision Problems After Surgery
To further understand these post-operative complications, I just did some quick Internet research. Unfortunately, I did not find any clinical reports which connect heart valve surgery to vertigo or vision problems. That said, I will send off an email to one of my contacts at The Cleveland Clinic to see what he thinks.
In the meantime… Perhaps you can help Mandy and Geoff? Did you experience vertigo, headaches or vision disturbances after heart valve surgery?
To leave a comment, simply click here.
In advance, thanks for your help!!!
Keep on tickin!
P.S. Scroll down to read 10+ comments about vertigo, headaches and vision problems after heart surgery.
About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. This unique book integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of 78 former valve surgery patients to help patients and caregivers better understand the problems, the opportunities and the realities of heart valve surgery. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.
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June 22nd, 2009 at 10:16 am
Hello,
I feel for both Mandy and Geoff. I experienced all of the above after my aortic replacement surgery (September 4, 2008). I have a tissue valve as well and am on no medication. I was getting double vision and vertigo after my surgery and still do occasionally. I have had maybe 10-15 attacks since surgery. However, I also had hearing loss previous to all attacks. This is a symptom on Meniere’s Disease. Meniere’s Disease is caused by extra fluid in the inner ear. I’m not sure if this is something Mandy could have, only a doctor can tell you that. I am still unsure if this is at all related to my heart surgery or not.
I saw an ears, nose and throat doctor and was recently diagnosed with Meniere’s Disease. I still have vision problems here and there, but the double vision has subsided. I wish both of you luck with finding answers to your questions. When in doubt, ask a doctor
I also have to recommend the website valvereplacement.com. There’s great people on there who have all been through it and maybe one will have an answer you are looking for!
Enjoy your week Adam!
June 22nd, 2009 at 1:36 pm
I had a mitral valve repair on December 4th 2009. While still in the hospital I had some visual disturbances where I would see colors and things on the walls. That went away by the time I got home, but for almost 4 months I had dizzy spells and what seemed like vertigo. I went to a neurologist who said that I did not have vertigo, but these might be a form of migraines. I had about 8 episodes where the room was spinning and I had to lay/sit down. I was very concerned that this might continue. I am happy to say that it is now June and about 6 months out from my surgery and I feel great! I looked back at some of the things that I read on the internet about post surgery symptoms and found that I was not alone. One person said it correctly, “your body has been through hell” and it takes time for it to calm down, but it will. Try to be patient although it’s hard not to feel like yourself. You definitely will. Debbie Berman, Chicago ,Illinois
June 22nd, 2009 at 1:37 pm
I SENT AN EMAIL A FEW WEEKS AGO WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ABOUT HAVING EYE PROBLEMS AFTER MY AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT OCTOBER, 2008. I SEEM TO GET DOUBLE VISION EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE THAT DOES NOT LAST LONG AND IT IS USUALLY FOLLOWED BY A HEADACHE. I HAVE BEEN GETTING MORE HEADACHES AFTER THE OPERATION. THE DOCTORS DO NOT SEEM TO KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING.
June 22nd, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Hi Mandy,
My mum had double valve surgery on april 18th. After the surgery she had the symptoms you have described- particularly in one episode when I had to call an ambulance. At the hospital they found she was severely anemic. Your doctor can test your hemaglobin level- apparently nearly all patients are anemic after this surgery as they loose blood in the operation- you can take iron tablets and if you go to 7 you may be offered a blood transfusion. 2 transfusions helped mum a lot.
Also, the vertigo can be symptomatic of arrhythmias. Also common after your surgery but to check on this ask your cardiologist if you can wear a halter monitor which will record your heart for 24 hrs (you can wear this at home and is painless!). This can help to identify if you have arrhythmia problems. Vertigo, feeling sick and palpitations can indicate this problem. In some cases, yoru cardiologist may want to investigate whether you need a pacemaker but many patients report these symptoms settling down over time. It is important to monitor though, as some arrhythmias are dangerous.
Also, simply being on the heart lung machine causses the blurred vision. They say not to get your eyes tested until 6 weeks or so after the surgery but my mum still has blurred vision two months later. Remember, your brain also takes a hit from the surgery and so will need plenty of time to recover.
Lastly, my mum has a rare syndrome called post-cardiotomy syndrome. This is where the body is inflammed as if you have an infection and causes dizziness etc. The doctor can check the trends in your CRP, white blood cells and inflammatory markers. This can also cause the symptoms you describe.
Most likely you are having some arrhythmia problems as your new valve is settling in
it would be a good idea to bring these symptoms to the attention of your cardiologist.
Hope you feel much better soon,
best Nendie in the UK
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:02 pm
ps arrhythmias are very common with new valves because the implanted valve works quicker than the previous diseased valve (you will notice your heart rate at rest is quicker). This can cause valves to be out of synch with one another on occasion producing irregular heart beats, speeding up too much and depriving the brain of oxygen which makes you feel vertiginous.
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:17 pm
pps Sorry for adding so much ! But mum said to mention very high or very low blood pressure can also cause these problems- so you need to keep an eye on that.
This can be affected by all sorts of things like dehydration, stress, diet, medication.
Get an idea of what your normal blood pressure is (my mum runs on the low side for example) and next time you have the vertigo take your blood pressure with an at home machine. If it has dropped very low or very high suddenly you may have your answer.
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Hello Mandy & Joeff,
I had my mitral valve replacement surgery on March 5th, 2009. About 10 days later, I noticed two small flashy spots, one like a wheel of fortune, the other like a 5×5 matrix of tiny dots in my vision. After 3+ months they are still there. Brain MRI showed nothing. I see them as a gift of the surgery. My headaches (frequency and intensity), along with aura (silent migranes) I had before, at least doubled since the surgery. So, you are not alone.
Kemal
June 22nd, 2009 at 7:33 pm
I had mitral valve repair 4/20. I do have blurred vision and slight dizziness from time to time. I was told ameoderone, one of my meds can cause this. It seems to decrease as time goes by.
Feel better!
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:26 pm
I had Aorta Valve Replacement April 13, 2009 and since the day of my surgery I have had vision problems and some dizzy spells. I have blurred vision and little electrical flashes across my vision kind of like fire-flies. I went to the Optomologist and he said that my eyes look healthy and vessels look good too. My doctor said the meds I’m taking can cause the dizziness and vision problems. I was taking Ameoderone like Gayle for the first month after surgery and I’m also taking Metoprolol (for 6 months) which does list side effects of dizziness and vision distrubances. I’m hoping that once I stop taking the Metoprolol that my vision will be back to normal. It’s been 10 weeks today since my surgery… Thanks to Adam for posting your questions and let us know if you come up with other anwers.
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Thank you. I appreciate all the responses. It is good to know other people are going through similar things. I am going to be looking into with my cardiologist soon. I am now 9 months post surgery and feeling well and blessed. Thanks again.
Keep Tickin
Mandy
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:39 pm
I had aortic valve replacement 6/20/2000 - St. Jude’s mechanical valve. Migraines were once a problem for me, but the surgery has had no bearing on the frequency of the headaches, which seemed to be caused by hormone fluctuations, weather, and food sensitivities rather than any surgery after effects. I did experience 4-5 days of terrible vertigo a couple of years ago. My cardiologist and primary care physicians agreed it was caused by slight dehydration. So, I’m very careful to drink plenty of water and keep the electrolytes on board, especially in Oklahoma summer heat.
June 23rd, 2009 at 1:11 am
I had heart surgery in November and I’m having visual disturbances, migraines and blurry vision..
I have always had migraines most of my life and have just thought it is that, but now I am reading more and more people getting these symptoms after surgery and now will talk to cardiologist as well…
I hope all goes well when you see cardiologist.
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:34 am
Yes, occasional “double vision” instances, which would pass in a couple of minutes. I’m now 5 months out of surgery for aortic valve replacement (and ascending aorta) and the side effects of the surgery are less and less as I continue my 3-days-a-week gym cardio workouts.
Once in a while now I get that “I should sit down for a minute; I’m getting dizzy” feeling, but again, it is less and less as time goes on.
Occasional “skipping beats” has almost ceased completely.
Hang in there and keep on the Rehab Trail!
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:43 am
Hi, I too had the same problems. I did not have valve replacement but they replaced my aorta and re-worked my valve. About 2 months after surgery I started having visual disturbances and a headache that lasted about 3 weeks solid. My surgeon put me on Plavix. He said that when you are on bypass for lengthy periods of time it can mess up your platelets and cause them to stick together which could be causing the headaches. After only a week on the Plavix my headaches, vision problems and mental confusion resolved and I have been doing great. Hope this helps.
Char
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:50 pm
If you are taking any meds it could be a side effect, metoprolol made me nearly blackout when I was on it (only a week).
Also, it may be worth having a health care provider take orthostatic vital signs, blood pressure and heart rate while you are laying down, sitting and then standing. If the blood pressure drops, the heart rate dramatically increases, or both, this can cause dizziness and headaches. This is called orthostatic intolerance (OI), certainly if your symptoms are worse with standing get it checked out. I have been diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) since my surgery 12/08 (did not have it prior) and have had many of the same complaints. There are several different illnesses that can be categorized as OI. I know this is complex, but a possibility. It took me (an RN) and a couple of cardiologists some time to figure out what was going on.
July 1st, 2009 at 8:50 pm
i had aortic valve(St. jude Mechanical) replacement and aortic anuresym in sept-2006. my eye sight worsened from -1.5 to -1.75.there is a blurring to see any object specialy at evening or night hours. there is some also headedness diziness . i am on warfrin & ecoasprin.
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Hi - I too an having a lot of vertigo symptoms as well as blurred vision. I had mitral valve replacement on September 16, 2008( bovine valve) (Edwards Life Sciences model 6900P - pericardial tissue valve). Had many months of afib - medicines were amiodarone, warfarin, toprol and of course the water pills and potassium. They tried many other pills for regulating heartbeat those first 6 months. Heart rate is still fast but even now especially since thyroid adjustment. Cardio Dr running a treadmill test to have the vertigo episode happen when on treadmill with him next week. The vertigo is really getting bad. Called surgeon today and they said never heard of this happening. Very discouraging at this point. Was really coming along until these episodes kept getting more frequent. I’d love to know what Cleveland Clinic told you Adam regarding this issue. Until I read this site I thought I was losing my mind. I had also read Adams book prior to surgery and it was hands down the best thing I ever did prior to surgery.
July 8th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I had mitral valve replacement due to endocarditis. I had serious balance issues during my IV antibiotic therapy prior to surgery. I was on mega doses of antibiotics and when I told my nurse about this, I was told that some of the antibiotics can cause this. When my cardiologist discussed this with me he said changing the antibiotics could stop the dizziness and lack of balance but stated because it had been going on so long, I did not complain until I had great difficulty with ambulation, I may not recover fully. I am 10 years post op and still have some balance issues. However, nothing like it was before. I function pretty normally. Hope this helps.
August 16th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Dear Mandy,
I read your message with interest. First of all sorry you are not feeling that good. My husband had a heart attack, in fact a cardiac arrest. He survived, thank god. He has been left with symptoms of virtigo, and has had them every day since his attack 12 months ago. We have been looking for a reason ever since. He has had a brain scan, and no damage is there, his eyes checked, ok too, and his inner ears checked, also ok. His blood pressure is normal too. He is taking two drugs, one for blood pressure and one statin. He was on five to begin with, he also takes asprin.
We are now in the process of stopping the statin (simivastatin) to see if that is the problem. It is known to cause virtigo symptoms even though his doctor insists it isnt that.
We have had to try everything and look in every direction, his virtigo symptoms have stopped him working and living normally and he is only 40 years old.
He is very well today, after only 1 day of stopping the pills, we are waiting to see how it goes.
I wish you the best.
Kim
November 13th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
I had mechanical aortic valve replacement 5 years ago, at age 55. Several days post op I started seeing bright, jagged shaped lines. The eye doctor told me they are ocular migraines. I also have noticed some shooting lights, more floaters and even several episodes of partial black out in one eye. I had total black out in one eye a few months ago and had a brain CT scan to make sure all was ok. Everything was normal on the CT scan and eye exams. I now have the beginning of cataracts and everything just seems “dimmer” to me. Rarely have vertigo. I am so glad to finally learn these problems are somewhat common to valve replacement procedure. None of my doctors have told me this. It’s great to finally have a support site.