Vertigo, Headaches & Vision Problems After Heart Valve Surgery… Can You Help Mandy?

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!

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

I had Onyx mitral and aorta valves installed March of ’09 and have since experienced severe vertigo and vision loss. I never wore glasses before my surgery and now need them to drive and watch TV. Every night I dread the room spinning when I lay down. My GP doesn’t know why this happened and my surgeon is stumped as well. A brain MRI may be my only chance for discovery since this is not related to heart surgery according to my docs. Nonethless, these are problems I never had before my heart surgery.

Like Geoff, I had mitral valve repair done on May 18, 2008. After a few weeks, I started having double vision randomly, but infrequently. It lasts only a few minutes, then it is over. I found that I can cover one eye and still continue with what I was doing. I do not have any dissiness or headaches but I have noticed the shooting lights and “floaters” sometimes. The first time it happened I was scared and thought that I might have had a blood clot that had broken loose or something and my wife immedietly called my cardiologist. By the time she spoke with the Doctor, my vision was back to normal. He said that if it continues to happen to go into the emergency room. He said that it was most likely due to the amiodarone and other meds that I was on. I was able to get off of all of my meds including coumadin within a few months. However, I still have short periods of double vision several times a month. I’m glad to see that this is not just me that is having these problems. Thanks for sharing your stories. I am also going to share this site with my mother in law who had double valve surgery in June of 2009. This may ease any of her concerns also.

I am SO glad to see this post! I asked about the same thing a while back on valvereplacement.com, and no one had experienced it. I had my first vertigo attack while in the car last August, about 5 months post op from my bovine aortic valve replacement and ascending aortic aneurysm repair. My recovery went well,and I was feeling pretty good til this happened. Got very ill, threw up twice, it was bad. Had some similar but much milder events over the next few months. Then, the last two months it’s gotten worse. I’m having them every day now, and last month I had another really bad episode, throwing up and all, then again yesterday. Couldn’t find anything online that indicated it was a surgery problem. So I gave in and went to the ER today. They did an MRI, it was clear. Wish I’d seen this post and comments before that…I could have saved myself the money and time! But I’m glad, really, because with my condition (biscuspid aortic valve disease), I’m prone to possibly get aneurysms elsewhere, like the brain. They said there’s no evidence of brain aneurysm, so I can relax about that now! The ER doc said he didn’t know what it was, suggested labyrinthitis, but I thought it might be vestibular neuronitis, because the symptoms of that fit better. But now I’m wondering if it’s just after effects of the surgery. If so, that sucks. Vestibular neuronitis goes away. Being post op…well, that won’t change. Oh well, better than a brain aneurysm!

p.s. I never experienced the vertigo, nausea or vomiting earlier than 5 months post op, at least not that I remember. I was never on any meds after discharge other than painkillers (for a while), blood pressure meds (for 3 months post op), and aspirin (1 a day for first month, then 1/4 a day after that). I’m no longer on aspirin, wasn’t crazy about the potential side effects (bleeding stroke, death, etc.) so I switched to nattokinase, a natural blood thinner (kind of) and clot dissolver. Just in case anyone was wondering if mine was caused by meds…it’s not. I’m just on the natto right now, and it’s not the natto causing it, as I had these episodes before the natto.

My “episodes” usually last anywhere from a minute (mild episodes) to five to ten minutes (severe). The spell yesterday lasted five minutes for the worst of it, but lingered a bit for the next half hour, and I still felt mild nausea yesterday and today, which is unusual.

Also, I do have pretty low blood pressure. It was normal prior to surgery. Now I average mid-nineties over mid-to-high fifties, at rest, with a heart rate averaging high fifties. Sometimes my blood pressure has dropped a bit lower during the vertigo attacks, but the last few times it was higher than my normal pressure. So I don’t know if that’s related. I just hope this is “normal” for post op, and not an indication of a problem.

Anyway, hope this helps someone.

p.p.s. – One more thing…I’ve also noticed that lately I’m having pain in my ear, particularly the right one. I’ve also noticed when I press on the skin just in front of my ear, I hear a crackling sound in my ear, like there’s water (or maybe pus? eeew) in there somewhere. I’m wondering if there’s some kind of infection in there, contributing to my worsened symptoms. Anyone ever get that?

My nearly-88-yr old mother had her aortic valve replaced March 22. In the hospital, she had floaters and crazy flashing lights in her eyes. She had to have the overhead lights off nearly the whole time she was hospitalized. We actually stopped at the eye doctor on the way home from the hospital to have an emergency eye exam. The dr said a large piece of tissue was flaking off her retina in the back and was causing the floaters and flashers. He thought it was just coincidental. But it seems to be a by-product of valve surgery, judging from all these posts. Now home for 2 wks, she has slight headaches every day and a real loss of appetite. Thanks so much for all your insight everyone. It won’t solve her problem but at least she knows she’s not crazy and it’s a real problem!

Hi Guys reading ur blogs was very helpful to me ’cause l’m having the same problems l was done double valve replacement aortic & mitral valve in 25 August 2009 after that l never had any problems until 3 months ago where l started having episodes of vertigo & blurred vissions l went to see the cardiologist & he told me this can be caused by the treatment l’m taking like furosemide & warfarin
I just hope that one day these symptoms will leave me alone.

Hi Just searching web about vertigo and visual disturbance.
I had mitral valve repair and due to flatlining a few times after op, I also got pace maker.My op was Oct 19 2009 and Oct 30 2009.

My vision has not been the same since op and whilst still in hospital I started getting these visual zig zags which I now know as scintillating scotoma.
That happens now and then but in the last month I have had dizzy spells and my vision has become really blurry.

I was at optometrist about 2 months ago but now I am getting these spin outs and frustartingly cannot focus on things plus tiring.

I had surgery Friday 28th May again , as during intubation my vocal chords were injured. So I was really hoping I would be on the mend. I feel okay but in the last month I am also really tired and cannot do my daily walks.

Hoping it all sorts out as I was a really active person with a fabulous job which is now all gone.

My eyes are my main concern and the dizzy as it is playing havoc with me as I am a designer artist.

Thanks Kate

Hello everyone… I too am glad to see it’s not just me! I’ve had a number of “whoa, must’ve stood up too fast” episodes – wouldn’t think to call them vertigo; I’ve been told they’re “orthostatic blood pressure drops”… but more interestingly, I’ve been having frequent visual effects – usually one eye or the other, not typically both at the same time, but “fireflies” – lights that just zip through my visual field, flashing wheels or arrays, wavelike visual blurs, and other similar experiences… usually they last for maybe 5-10 minutes, and then go away. I don’t typically have headaches afterward – in the past I’ve been diagnosed with ocular migraines, which are definitely different in my experience (blind spots followed by headaches)… this is more of an annoyance than a serious detriment, but definitely has only happened since my surgery – I had a minimally invasive mitral valve repair on March 31, 2010… my recovery has gone as well as expected, but the visual effects are still with me. I’m hoping they may be a side effect of the metoprolol (25 mg twice a day), which along with the Warfarin should be discontinuing within the next month or two…

I had Ascending Aortic Aneurysm repair without valve replacement and have had the vision problems and vertigo ever since my surgery. My cardiologists told me to see my eye doctor just to make sure everything is ok with my eyes. I went to my eye doctor to have my eyes checked and he said that my eyes are good and that he has had other heart surgery patients with same vision problems. I have heard that the symptoms could get worse and that there is medication you can take for it. It is real bother some at work or when I drive.

hi Adam,
I had the R.P done on April 12, 2010, I had some complications do to a occlution in my rigth eye, after I woke up from the sugery I found out I was blind in my right eye. I have had doctors check me over many times and I am still going to doctors. But so far no vision has returned. I also have numbness in the right side of my face. I will most likely have to live with it for the rest of my life.

Sam
Toronto, Canada

I am 43 had a valvulalastie last October.I am having some vision troubles as if a a looking through a broken glass. The sensation lasts between a few seconds to a few minutes. Does anyone had a similar trouble?

Hello,
M name is Evata and I had stents placed in decending Aorta june 2009. I started with headaches right away and than notice the changes in vision and dizzyness. Found out I had Subclavian Steel(decresed blood flow to L arm and brain ,which was repaired sept 2009.I continue to have the symptoms and they are worse. It is extremely difficult to stay on computer. Lighting, sudden movement makes me extremely dizzy, computer screen changes, difficulty focusing even the televison from 6 feet. I am at a loss no one can find anything, had MRI, CTScan,balance test.

Dear Mandy,
I had a Aortic valve replacement may 18 1995.(My valve is a St Jude)I have been doing fairly well,but to answer your question.I too suffer from double vision,blurred vison.I am taking coumidin for life,but they have no idea on why these are going on.
Hope this email finds you well and you have a beautiful family also.
As was said “KEEP TICKIN”
Regards,
Rick Smith
Scranton, Pa

I had a mitral valve repair done December 1, 2008, I have ocular migraines all the time. My latest occurance was 14 days with a headache and 10 days I had the lights with them. I have seen a neuropthalmologist and there is nothing wrong with my eyes for this to occur. I was given pain pills and a muscle relaxer but this just covers up the pain. I need to find out why I get these all the time. It seem since I had the operation I live with a headache. I need to find some form of relief with out taking drugs.

Hi Everyone,
I was prescribed 75mg asprin two years ago when I was 40yrs for the 20 minute eye attacks I was having you know the flashing arc on my right field of vison about every three months.I had these attacks since the age of 17. I never had another attack for two years once I started on the asprin.
8 weeks ago I had two holes in my heart sealed they were a conjenital defects, and have had three eye disturbances since, the flashing arc for about 20-30 mins. I am really upset about it as I thought the surgery would make me feel safer not more scared.
The surgery was a preventative measure not an emergency.

Hi Rachel,

You eye events sound like something I experience called Ocular Migraines. I have a silvery arc that grows for about 20 minutes and afterward I am left will a dull headache.

I have open heart surgery in January to replace my mitral valve and ever since I have been getting these ocular migraines much more frequently. While in the hospital I had 5 in one day.

It seems like I get them at least once a day now.. Sometimes just opening my laptop in the dark will cause one to occur.

I went to my eye doctor and had my eyes checked for detaching retina, but everything was in tact.

No one can explain why all of a sudden I am experiencing more episodes, but I guess that’s the way it is.

I am happy to be alive!
Good Luck,
Lori

I had Mitral Valve surgery repair on August 12, 2010. I have had headaches and eye problems since my surrgery. My eyes will feel crossed and stuck in that position for a while before they will convert to normal range. I went off the Motolpropl a week ago thinking it was the meds doing it to me. I am so frustrated because I have already seen my primary care Docotor who said I have sinuse infection, the Nuerologist for a CT scan, 2 cardiologist and the ER Doctor.Now I have to go for a MRI, Buble ECho and Neuro Optamalogist. I am so depressed. What could be wrong and will it go away?

My husband had aortic valve replacement in early August 2010 and is experiencing severe headaches,and extreme dizziness to point of falling three times in the past two weeks. He had this surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, so I am anxious to hear their response Adam.

I had open heart aortic valve replacement and I have suffered with extreme vision problems, dizziness and feelings that I will faint. I have asked doctors for help and they say it will go away in time. Well, I want to know what I am to do in the meantime. Medicine doesnot help. I was told if you are sedated for a long period (I was out 6 hrs) and on the blood/oxygen machine that it does affect the brain. How can I find information on this?

Hi, For Deogloria I had pain in my right ear, side of my face down my neck, etc. and my Dr. sent me to my Dentist who discovered it was only TMJ (grinding my teeth) and made a plastic guard for my mouth and I was pain free in a few days.
Thank you all for sharing as my only complaint is my distance eyesight is still difficult after 3 months following my aortic valve replacement and pacemaker. But according to the eye dr. my eyesight has not changed and is something that is not constant!

Lynn

I had an aortal valve replaced with a bovine valve on 9/24/10. A few days after surgery I noticed a grayish spot in my vision. I closed one eye and then the other, and even with both eyes closed I could still see it. Gradually the grayish spot developed into a crescent-shaped zig-zaggy sort of thing and it grew gradually over a half hour until it faded away. That happened about once a day in the hospital, and I called my opthamologist who said she had never heard of it. I asked the surgeon and the cardiologist, and they didn’t seem to know what it was. It persisted, appearing daily for awhile and then less often. My last episode was yesterday. I did a web search and found that these things are not uncommoon but the journals with information on them are extremely technical. So far they don’t seem to be causing problems. I used to have absolutely awful migraines for years but haven’t had any in about ten years (knock wood). I hope there isn’t any underlying awful reason for them. Would be interested in anything else that anyone finds out about these weird zig-zaggy crescents.
Terry Chase

Wow – relieved to see I am not alone. Had an aortic valve replacement(bovine) with repair of ascending aortic anuerysm on 6/28/10. Off all meds 6 weeks post op.Felt really good until mid September when started getting occasional greyness in parts of visual field. It could vary which eye and which part of the visual field, but will usually resolve in 30 sec to 3 mins. Starting on aspirin has helped. What is funny is symptoms always seem to come on with sitting (or after repetitive fairly heavy lifting). Surgeons PA suggested it may be clots (but it sounded like he was guessing and really didn’t want to spend much effort addressing my concerns). My primary MD and cardiologist couldn’t offer any concrete explanations. Thanks for everyone’s feedback!

I am about to get aortic valve replacement (bovine) too. However, I am faced with complications – heavily radiated area from Hodgkins Lymphoma radiation treatment a number of years ago. My heart is shot, my valve is shot and my surgeon says we are “going down a treacherous road.” He says stiching me up internally will be like stitching eggshells. I’m pretty scared. I’d love to talk to anyone and everyone. I don’t have a support group – no family here and few friends. I’m a survivor though! Still plan on fighting the good fight!

I am very interested in all I am reading here for 3 reasons: 1)I am a congenital mitral valve regurgitation patient, and (up to now) never gave a thought that this condition could in any way relate to my life long history of ocular migraines (which is what many of you describe here) or traditional migraine headaches. 2)I am scheduled to undergo mitral valve replacement surgery on 2/4/11 and 3) I work for one of the most prominent ophthalmology practices in the midwest. We have a neuro ophthalmologist on staff, and I plan to talk to him on Monday to find out if there is a correlation to all this that I might be able to share.

In November 2010 I had an ascending aorta and partial arch replacement with an aortic valvuloplasty, (8 hour surgery with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, retrograde and antegrade cerebral perfusion) and started having visual disturbances on post-op day 4, the day I was discharged. They consisted of a marked increase in frequency of optical migraines (visual auras without headache that lasted about 20 minutes per episode). I had had 1 or 2 a year for many years, so I knew what they were, but became concerned when I started keeping track and was having 3 to 8 a day! Then I had 2 episodes of temporary loss of vision in one eye (like a grey curtain dropping over my field of vision) and wound up having a thorough work-up to be sure I wasn’t having a stroke or TIA. I also had unrelated episodes of light-headedness that continue.
All my visual symptoms stopped after two weeks, but I am now on Plavix as well as aspirin for a total of six months. My brain MRI did show a very small acute cerebellar stroke, but the neurologist said that if they did an MRI post-op on everyone who had this type of surgery with HCA, they would probably find similar changes in many patients!
It would be reassuring to know about the potential for transient effects like this before hand!

Hi, I had aortic valve replacement on Nov. 15, 2010 In the weeks shortly after my surgery I had alot of double vision, blurred vision and dizziness. No headaches though. I had one instance where I was so dizzy that I couldnt walk straight. It has since disapeared, and I’ve had a full recovery. I actually feel great.

i am 48 and just learned i have a leaky valve the doctors nurse called and told me and said u can live with this is this true i was not satisfied with so i made an appt.to see my doctor should i ask him to refer me to a caridologist.i am really scared/

Great site Adam. I had my second OHS last April, replaced my aortic valve with a Carbomedic valve and repaired the ascending aorta. Since then I have experienced many of the ocular problems reported. Interesting, when I did a six month check up with my cardiologist at Mayo, he said he had never heard of these problems. Guess I should send him a link!
In any event, it is somewhat comforting (I suppose) to see others with the same problems.
Adam, what did Cleveland Clinic say about this?

Hello! I am 41 years old and had aortic valve replacement in July 2009. I was very active and happy. Now, an year an a half later, I have dizzy spills (some more severe than others), blurred vision, double vission and vertigo. Yesterday I went with my boyfriend to restaurant. After only 10 minutes, I had another episode. It was so bad we had to leave the restaurant. I am now crying and don’t know what else to do, since this has a negative impact in my life style. I now know I have panic attacks as well. I have a mechanical valve and I am on Coumadin (Warfarin), baby aspirin, and …metropolol. I cut my daily dosage of metropolol and it seems my episodes are rear, but I still have them and it cause me panic, fear and dispair. I always think I will have another heart problem and die I talked with my cardiologist about vertigo and put me on fludrocortisone. It helped a little…He doesn’t seem concerned about my vission. “I am a cardiologist!” he told me. “Glad” to know I am not the only one with dizziness, vission and vertigo problems after the surgery. I will be more pozitive. Thank you all for your stories and I hope all of you feel better soon.

…One more thing: exactly two weeks after my surgery I had a TIA. I temporarily lost vission in my right eye and had tingling in my left arm and leg. Now THIS IS A REASON TO BE SCARED FOR! If that was what they call mild stroke, I don’t ever want to know how are real strokes! Please take care of yourselves and see a doctor immediately when you have severe headaches and vission loss. It can save your life. Best wishes to all

Hi Adam,
Have not read your book but read all the blogs etc on site as I had open heart surgery to repair mitral valve after picking up a bug whilst working in developing countries.
Repair was successful but after surgery 4 days into it I flatlined when they took me off pacing wires.
I was then given a pacemaker a week after 19th October 2009 surgery.
Recovery has been great,except for an intubation granuloma which had been treated but eventually had to be operated in May 2010 as it impeded my breathing , it was soo large.

I then was fine and have been swimming and bicycling and excercising well but since Dec 2010
I have become short of breath when I excercise and also when lie down and it wakes me up .
I am extremely tired and weak at times but for first time very frustrated as I thought I was really back to normal.
I take absolutely no meds other than an aspirin when I am flying for hols.

I am really active and have to head back to cardiologist to see why this is happening .
Any ideas???

Hello
I hear what your saying .I had double by-pass Oct of 2009 and about two weeks after my surgery I started with the vertigo,I did not even have to be standing . All I had to do was turn my head while still in bed. I have also found that I can not drive where I may find myself on a bridge ,or a curveing road that swings out toward the ocean or any road that swings up and out that show mostly sky
my vision is telling me that eveything has gone into HD like you see on TV. This last month I have found that my vertigo has gone I
hope for ever. But this HD vision has me on edge for sure. I’m not sure how to deal with this as I am the one that drive the most. Hang in there. Things will get better even if it taks a while longer that you want. Be well be safe

I had a mitrale valve replacement in February 2008 and recovery well and am in great shape except for the vertigo issue. The first episode was 11 days after surgery when I fell to one side. This has continued at strange times, with no regulary, for three years. The last episode, a week ago, brought me to my knees at a ski resort. I was “paralized” with vertigo and threw up from the dizzness. My cardiologist says my heart is doing well and I just passed a stress-echo with flying colors. The ear, nose and throat doc says I have Menier’s disease. After each attack I get an ocular headache. I do take warfarin as I also have a-fib and I have a pig valve.
This vertigo is a BIG concern. I wish we were all without this problem, but at I take comfort in knowing there are others. Now we all have to figure out why!!!

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the messages. Cardiologist says all is fine and humming well — as is the pacemaker although I am using 5% more since last time the pacemaker in the upper chamber.

I am feeling better but do get what they call “occular headaches” which are zig-zaggy black and silver line which disturb my vision.
Also, since the operation I’ve experienced dizziness and queeziness in my tummy. After exercise, I get dizzy and have headaches.

As some of you have said, there’s not much on this little phenomenon. Maybe someone should do a lengthy study on valve replacement and valve repair patients and this side affect — as so many people have similar symptoms.

I had posted on this back before my surgery, and wanted to share more now that I am almost one month post-op. I have suffered from occular and traditional migraines my entire life, starting with my first occular migraine at the age of 11. Occular migraines are migraine headaches (with varying degrees of actual head “pain” along with other traditional migraine symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light and sound) with the unique characteristic of “auras” of light or zig-zag lines that impede the visual field, much like horizontal lines on a fuzzy tv screen.

Because of my past history with these headaches and the fact that I work for the prestigious Cincinnati Eye Institute, I asked Dr. Karl Golnik, our neuro-ophthalmologist, if he was aware of an increase of instances of these kinds of headaches in patients who had had open heart surgery. He said he was not aware of such.

Interestingly enough, while I was still in the hospital, I experienced my first post-operative occular migraine and have continued to have brief occular migraine disturbances almost daily since my surgery. Mine are mild-meaning I have the aura, but no headache or nausea- but the visual disturbances are annoying and I would imagine could be frightening to someone who has never had them before. Clearly there is a relationship between these types of headaches and the vascular system, but I honestly can’t tell you what happens in our surgeries that would cause an increase in these instances. If anyone can shed some light on this, I would love to hear more!

March 27 is going to be 3 years since my valve surgery (Bovine) I still hane vertigo that comes and goes severe dizzyness at times and eye problems where I get layers off gray on the eye that I need to use a magnify glass to read things at times. It’s not an every day thing but it still happens and I never know when any of this is going to happen. I also had MRI went to eye doctor and my cardiologist all said the surgery was not the cause well I never had this problem before the surgery. I did have the surgery twice in one day coded so I am of course thankfull I’m here but I do get quite frustraded my life has come to a drastic change and no one can convince me no doctor that all this was caused from the surgery. Theres just to many people with all the same problems and it does need to be taken more seriously that the surgery has caused most if not all of these problems. Good luck to all I know how you feel. Keep on ticking and thank GOD for Adams blog at least we know we that this many people are not crazy . Keep ticking, Diane

I had heart surgery last feb of 2010, They put a pig valve in I feel great but at times I do get double vision it doesn’t last long but when it comes it can be quite scary. Went to my eye doctor yesterday he said: all was fine with my eyes told him about my double vision and he said it could be a migraine without no pain. Has anyone ever experienced this? Had never experienced this before my surgery???

Hello again, I posted back in January regarding a marked increase in opthalmic migraines (auras without headaches) following my valve-sparing thoracic aneurysm (replaced the ascending aorta and hemiarch as well as base of the innominate artery)repair in November. The auras ceased completely after I was started on clopidogrel (Plavix) along with the 325 mg of Aspirin that I was already on. I had undergone a work-up for temporary loss of vision in one eye a week post-op, and was found to have a very small new cerebellar infarct (stroke) with no residual effect. My neurologist said that if they did MRIs on everyone who had my surgery (with hypothermic circulatory arrest and retrograde and antegrade cerebral perfusion) similar findings would probably be found. Interesting enough, I stopped taking the clopidogrel recently, and within a few days, the visual auras recurred and are now happening daily, although only once or twice a day. My general visual acuity which had changed significantly after surgery had improved, but now seems to have altered again. I will be starting back on my clopidogrel, and am hoping that the symptoms will go away again.
I’ve been looking on the internet again, and found some research being done in Great Britain regarding clopidogrel and migraine auras.

My aortic valve was replaced in December 2009 with a bovine valve and, oddly enough, I had frequent ocular migraines for many years prior to my valve replacement at age 52. While I still get ocular migraines, they are far less frequent and do not last as long as they used to. I assumed that my aortic stenosis was causing the visual disturbances…

I just had Aortic heart valve replacement 03/14/2011. On the way home from hospital I had a severe attack of vertigo. Was having dizziness while in hospital. Had vertigo every day for a couple of weeks. Sill have once in a while. My eyes are causing a lot of problems. I cannot be on computer long dud to movement on screen. I get sick and dizzy. Never had headaches. Have them almost every day now. I believe it has to do with the fact that they push your head back all during surgery. Had severe pain in neck while in the hospital. Is better now, but still hurts. The doctors seem oblivious to these things that we did not have before surgery. It is left for us to figure out and hopefully fix. I work on computer all day at work. I pray this disappears before I can go back to work..Anyone else have these problems?

I had aortic repair and value surgery in July, 2010, to correct an ascending aortic anuerism, and have experienced visual abnormalities every since consisting of shimmering lights in a circular pattern for about 10 minutes once or twice @ day, typically mid-day. A friend who’s a doctor thinks my optic nerve may have been damaged as a complication of surgery (i’ll see my surgeon in 4 months and will ask him then). It’s starting to concern me. I never connected the issue to the surgery but it makes sense to me. Any thoughts or observations about this are welcome.

Your shimmering lights visual abnormalities sound just like the optical migraine auras that many people, including myself, have posted about previously. I also had an ascending aortic aneurysm repair. I have been in contact via the internet with several doctors who are doing research in the area of visual/migraine issues post various open heart surgeries and there are some interesting results out there. If you read back through this blog, you will find that you are definitely not alone. I posted on March 24th 2011 about the recurrence of my visual symptoms after stopping my Plavix (clopidogrel), and am happy to say that within 24 hours of resuming the Plavix, my visual auras stopped completely, and my general visual acuity has improved again. Sounds weird. A cardiac anesthesiologist who was involved in a cerebral oximetry research study that I was part of has contacted me regarding my visual experiences and encouraged me to continue with the Plavix and spoke at length about the issues of platelet clumping in many very small blood vessels.

Hate to keep repeating but it’s been exactly 3 yrs now and I still have the same problems with the eyes, dizzy, floaters not as often but you never know when they will hit and it does scare you when you have to drive and you think your crazy. I’m just trying to live with it all now. I have also spoke with the doctors and been tested nothing found. I NEVER HAD ANY OF THIS BEFORE THE VALVE(BOVINE) REPLACEMENT. Very thankfull to still be here and for this blog it has helped me more than anything believe me. I wish you all the best and say a special prayer for all people with thse side effects. Keep on tickin.

Lisa – I too am a Hodgkins survivor and had my aortic valve replaced in February 2011. The surgeon was most concerned about my sternum healing because of radiation damage to the bone. I was cautioned against any lifting or exercise using my arms. Now at 8 weeks post-op I’m finally feeling better. I still experience some bone and muscle pain, but it is too early to know if healing will take longer. I have experienced some visual problems and dizziness. The eye doc found a clump of cholester “smaller than the head of a pin” clogging a blood vessel. Please let me know how you are doing. You are not alone!

Hi! I had aortic valve replacement (tissue valve) in March 2008. I have also had five pacemakers since 1996. I have started having blurry vision where my eyes feel like they are crossing and then my tongue, bottom lip and chin go numb. Sometimes it lasts for a few minutes and sometimes it will last 10 minutes or more, then I have a pounding headache after. It scares me to death and then I will have a panic attack!! I am now 37 years old and I try to live a normal life, but always knowing that another surgery is around the corner is very upsetting and I have problems sleeping! I am a nurse and I have researched this a million times with no luck. Any ideas?? I am “still ticking” lol, but it is not always easy! Thanks for any advice!!

migraine of sorts? i have had a real increase in migraine auras since surgury, turns out i can control them for the most part…its brutal!!! i do not get headaches with my auras, it doesnt get tat far..but nausea and stiff neck/shoulders!!!

I had a valve repair done 3 months ago and have lost my near vision. It comes and goes. I am on Warfarin, Amioderone, and diltiazem. Help please! I am 55 years old, have been blessed with 20/20 vision my whole life and to lose it due to heart surgery seems a little weird. I “see stasr” regularly….bright little lights that move across my visual field like floaters….only they seem to move all over the place. These are getting worse and more frequent.

Hi Lysle ,
After reading your comment, I can only say it will improve.

Unfortunately though there is some reason the eyes get affected.
I hade mitral valve repair Oct 2009 and I wrote about my funny experience with eyes which had never occurred before.
Then I read all these people who also had experiences after surgery as well.
I now need glasses all the time as before I did not.
I do not take any medication of any kind now for just on a year and feel really great . If I exercise too much though the zig zag lines and silver bits and floaters come.
My vison becomes very blurry and cannot focus and my head feels disoriented but put my head down , and this may sound funny between my knees for a few seconds it stabilises and goes away.
Maybe blood pressure drops who knows.
I suppose I have learnt to live with it .It did cause angst at first.As our eyes are so precious.

Hopefully you get better soon but it does take time and you must be patient.I am now 18months from mitral valve repair and a week later given a pacemaker (which made me very angry).Then I had intubation granuloma as well and had another op May 2010 to fix this as it was impeding my breathing.
Only now do I feel I am making headway, so be kind to yourself .

My life changed dramatically and I have finally come to terms that this is the way it is.

I had mitral valve repair on April 13, 2009, when I was 47. Within a week after surgery, I started having flashes in my eyes – like bright zig-zig floaters all across my field of vision. I assumed it was from all the post-surgery medication I was on at the time. But as I was still having them six months post surgery and could not see at all when I had them, I decided to go to the eye doctor. He sent me to the Neurologist who did an MRI. And yes, he diagnosed occular auras – he said they seem to be quite common with people who have valve surgery. I also have vertigo from time-to-time but have been blaming it on menopause up until now. I have since realized I never had vertigo until after this surgery. Anyway, I take topiromate for the auras, which works, but I still have the virtigo. I’ve tried to tell my cardiologist, but every time I go in, I can only see a nurse practitioner – I don’t guess I’m sick enough anymore to see the actual doctor, lol. I know none of this helps, but at least some of you won’t feel alone. Good luck to you all!

To all those who have experienced frequent migraines since their surgery, how long does it take before they eventually stop or decrease in frequency?

I had valve repair done a month ago and I’ve been having these migraine attacks everyday. It is definitely not helping with my recovery since it feels awful just standing up and walking around. I’ve always had migraines even before surgery but never this frequent.

Help!

i have learned to control these ocular migraines for most part, i have to avoid powder coffee creamer, anything diet or sugar free and try not to have a pinched neck, or a sudden increase in stress, for example turning a corner in the car and they guy in front of you slams on the brakes and you spill your hot coffee all while yelling profanities..that cause it for me one day,, but creamer or diet pop with ion the hour i get the disturbance, then on comes nausea and stiffness… gravol and acetaminophen soon a s i know and i can generally avoid. for all the Americans, i dont know what the US version of gravol is but it is anti nausea and dizziness and motion sick pills… i have cut my auras down from 2-4 per week, to 1 every few weeks… i get free coffee at work and all they get is coffemate , i stoped that and bang all my auras at work GONE!! and i am a crane operator so its important

Steph, are you experiencing a headache, or just visual disturbances that are referred to as “occular migraines”?
Since my aortic valve replacement in April, 2010, I have experienced frequent occular migraines (5-7 per week) but very few are followed by a headache. Prior to surgery I experienced a migraine headache several times each year, but these seem to have gone away.
Every cardiologist and surgeon I have talked to basically shrug their shoulders regarding the occular version that I am having. I suppose they think if it isn’t debilitating, it is nothing to worry about.
I do think, however, that with the extent of the problem that I see on this web site and other forums, there should be some medical studies done in this area.
To answer your question, mine haven’t gone away, and I doubt they will.

in regards to mieks comment about them not going away….i disagree, liek i said abovee there is something that triggers them i have learned to manage them and since i stopped eating/drinking my triggers i have reduced the occular migraines to 2 in the last month and a half ish knock on wood haha

Mike,
Occular migraines? Yes, they do happen to me a lot although half of the time they are followed by mild headaches. Also, I take an Ibuprofen (Advil) once I see these auras to prevent or lessen the pain of the upcoming migraine.

I did talk to my cardiologist about it and I got the same response as you did– which is nothing. I’m planning to go to a neurologist soon but I wouldn’t want to take more meds since I’m already taking a bunch of them right now (Warfarin, Cipro…etc).

May I ask how often you have these occular migraines? A couple of migraines each year is fine with me, but everyday is just insane. I hope it’ll get better by next month.

Hi Mandy, I had heart valve replacement in March of this year.I was having dizzy spells before I left the hospital. They just seemed to ignore them. I have been to a cardiologist, neurologist, ENT and no one can find anything wrong. They make you feel like you are crazy. I still have the eye problem also. Sometimes my eyes cross, can’t see anything then. It really makes it difficult when you work on computer. I just have to stop when I am doing until the spell is over. A friend of mine told me to try Allegra. He has dizzy spells also and has heart problems. I have been taking it this week and not as many problems. We will see. The doctors just will not admit that the problem comes from the surgery. After finding this site and others,I know it does. I have seen some on here that had surgery 3 years ago. I pray that I do not have this problem that long.

I have “occular migraines” several times each week. Unlike the traditional migraine, where the aura would last 30 minutes to the dot, these have varying time frames. Some last a few minutes, some 10 or 15, none beyond 25 minutes. None are followed by a headache, nor are they debillitating. In other words, I just keep working through them.

Hello all, I am Carol. I had an aortic valve replaced and two vessels bypassed on 5/23/11. It was a long and complicated surgery and left me with what is called ‘pump brain’. The memory problems are the worst, but like many of you, I also have the vision problems, little streaks of light and occasional blurring or double vision. I have been to a neurologist, who did a CT (normal,too soon for an MRI to be done due to the wires in my sternum) and for an
EEG, the results of which are pending. I do hope all of this goes away, because it is impacting my ability to do my job (RN) and to drive safely. I am so worried about hurting someone on the road if the double vision comes on. I wish you all the best, Carol

I also am a long term Hodgkins survivor who had radiation therapy and chemotherapy at a young age. My surgeon and cardiologist suspect the radiation as the cause for my aortic valve stenosis. I’m 10 weeks past AVR surgery, which was done in June. I have a St. Jude mechanical valve. I’ve had various complications post op including pleural effusion and a fib, both under control now. It’s taking a long time for my sternum to heal-still have a fair amount of pain. I’ve had a lot of headaches and some visual effects like seeing a lot of stars. I think being on Metropolol was the main reason I was getting headaches, they’ve mostly stopped since I was taken off of it. Blood pressure meds can make you dizzy and cause the seeing stars effect, so I think of those as a likely reason I sometimes experience that.

I had an extensive heart operation nearly two tears ago. The operation was a cabg, mitral valve repair and a repair of an aneurysm. After the operation, I felt quite well and made a good recovery. I now feel very well and am reasonably fit, I’m now 51 and am able to trek in the mountains and live a reasonably normal life. There is one exception and this is the regular onset of blurred vision followed by a dull headache and a need to visit the toilet to urinate. This is very similar to the early stages of migraine, I know this as I have suffered migraine headaches most of my life. I used to get a migraine maybe twice per year, this was a classic migraine and would start with auras, numbness in the right side of my body, usually in my hand arm and face followed by a severe headache which would last about 6 to 8 hours. The occurrence now lasts around one hour and doesn’t usually get beyond the blurred vision stage. It generally happens a lot more frequently usually around mid day and is triggered by me losing focus in one eye or by a stressful situation. I can keep functioning and always need to urinate as the migraine clears. I’m left with a dull headache which goes after a couple of hours. Would be good to hear from any other sufferers and if an avoidance strategy has been found.

As you look over the various comments to this posting, you will see quite a number of people who have experienced some form of visual disturbance following OHS. One common theme seems to be a previous history of migraine. In my case, I have experienced frequent (3-4 per week) “occular” migraines, i.e., migraines with only the visual disturbance in the form of an aura, but no subsequent headache.
I personally have not found any avoidance strategy that works, although recently I have been trying to keep myself well hydrated and that seems to be diminishing the frequency somewhat.
Needless to say, this is a nuisance, and something I am very surprised doctors in this field are not aware of.
The good news seems to be that there are no lasting effects of this symtom, and that many other surgery patients suffer from the same malady.

I had an AVR (bovine valve) on 11/4. I have a history of ocular migraines (visual disturbances but no pain) a few times a year. After surgery, and continuing through the first 3 weeks post surgery, I am having them every day or two. Nobody seems to know why– my guess is that the massive cytokines released while on bypass gets across the blood brain barrier and somehow effects nerve junctions, but that is just a guess.
While, in general these types of migraines don’t seem to be very prognostic, it would be nice to know that the frequency of them will return to my previous normal level.
Anyone have any relevant thought/experiences?
I also find that my vision is a bit blurred as well.
Geprge

I had mitral valve repair 6 months ago and have had optical migraines ever since. I had never had them before but now I get them 3-4 times a week. I had noticeably blurred vision the first 2-3 weeks after surgery, but since that was a known side effect of my pain medication, I wasn’t too alarmed. However, I still feel like my vision is not as good as it was before surgery, although my vision test results have not changed.

George and Vicki, as you will see with the other numerous posts, you are not alone in what you are experiencing. I had AVR in April, 2010 and have suffered from the ocular migraines you describe since then. Fortunately, they at last seem to be abating, and now I only have one or two per week, sometimes even fewer. Thus, if my experience is any guide, you can probably expect to suffer from these things for well over a year, but you can also look forward to them gradually decreasing beyond that.

George, Vicki and Mike, I had my surgery mid-March 2011. I have a pig tissue aortic valve. I am 66 and if I had it to do over I would not. I have dizzy spells every day. My eyes sometimes feel like they are crossing and I cannot see at the time because it makes me sick. I have to keep my eyes closed until it stops. Most of the time it dies not last long, it is just a terrible feeling. I also have the optical migraines also and the floaters. It has been 8 months, I am waiting for the year mark and praying they will stop. Just when they seem to be getting further apart they start up daily again. Good luck.

Hi everyone,

I had double bypass and mitral valve repair In January 2010 – I too have had visual disturbances since then. About a week after surgery I saw colored bright zig-zig floaters all across my field of vision. Went to opthamologist and they said I had ocular migraines (they only last exactly 20 minutes) but then I am left with a mild headache. I do believe that the migraines and valve surgery are linked. Good luck to everyone – stay well!!

Had AVR June 7,2011 with a mechanical aortic valve replacement, that left me with balance issues, waviness in the eyes (only sporadically) and weakness in right side. At one time, I was on Amiodarone, but that’s gone because of edema(sp?) in my legs and now I am on metoprolol (150mgs), norvasc, ramipril, lasix and Klor-con along with metformin for mild diabetes. Systolic BP still a work in progress–between 140 and 150. I finally got a neurologist to give a script for rehab for my balance and weakness in my legs, which I just started. I have only had two rehab sessions ( I did complete 12 weeks of cardiac rehab already.), plus at home assignments and it really seems to help. There is hope, but it comes with a lot of hard work. I also hired a trainer 3 days a week for an hour, which is helping me bring back my core strength. It’s definitely a luxury expense, but well worth it because he utilizes muscles, that I didn’t know I had. I know it seems late to work on this, but I thought it would go away after cardiac rehab, which it didn’t. Don’t give up!!! Do all the rehab you can, because sometimes only hard work can bring you back. Plus join Mended Hearts! It’s a great organization.

Hi there, I am glad to read about other people describing the same symptoms I am experiencing. What puzzles me is that the vertigo only really started in November this year and I had my operation (bovine heart valve replacement) in September 2010. From the first day after the operation I started having double vision and seeing flashing lights and that is not getting better. I am on no medication. Stress definitely makes it worse. I have just seen a neurologist who also thinks it might be related to migrane, an MRI is still to come. I wonder if other people have had these symptoms for so long. I am 59 years old.

Hi Ursula and everyone, I had my aortic valve replacement (bovine…poor moo) plus bypasses on 5/23 and developed the visual problems pretty soon afterwards. They diagnosed ‘pump brain’, although there is no way to know for sure and if an MRI is done, what is to be done about it anyway? More likely is the information that I have arrived at myself (I’m an RN with lots of cardiac nurse and doctor buddies), namely that this is a form of migraine and that the sparklies are the aura. They can be followed by headache, although mine have not. The sparklies are not going away, although you just sort of get used to them. More disturbing are the temperature swings (not hot flashes…I know what those feel like) that just swamp me every day. I so wish those would go away. Most recently, dry eyes and mouth have developed, independent of how much diuretic I have to take. Has anyone else had that? In light of all of the aftermath of this surgery, I will likely NOT allow another when my leaky valves are deemed ready. I’m 58 and all of this was the result of heredity. Happy New Year everybody. Stay well! Carol

I had my aortic valve replacement (St Judes mechanical) in 2007 and since that point had many visual disturbances, floaters, periods of what looks like sun spots around the eyes which comes on slowly and last for several minutes. I also get spouts of double vision, and sometimes feel like the eye muscles slow down and strain. I had my first episode of vertigo on Christmas day, happened in the back seat of car while driving up a curvy road. I was a bit stressed that morning so I wonder if stress had something to do with the triggering the Vertigo. I was really scary as I thought I was having a stroke or something, as I never experienced vertigo before. I am so surprised to find so many other patients who have experienced the very same things I have after my heart surgery. How are we to know if its a stroke or something else anytime these odd episodes happen?

Hi All! It does help to know that I am not alone in all the residual and unwelcomed physical issues following OHS. I had valve repair 6/29 and haven’t been the same since. Ocular migraines, blind spots, vertigo, double vision, abdominal pain, balance issues, weak muscles, anxiety….I am really bummed out. I was an incredibly active and fit 47 year old before, and have been reduced to someone I don’t recognize even 6 months later. All the doctors I have seen since surgery (cardiologist, surgeon, primary care, opthomologist, gynecologist, gastroeneroilogist) say it is part of the healing process and it will pass. I am not comforted and am angry that no medical professional gave me a “heads up” prior to surgery; knowledge is power and maybe this recuperation would have gone more smoothly if I had been menatally prepared. Cardiac rehab was very helpful, especially from the support aspect, but a struggle to persevere on many days as it’s difficult to run on the treadmill when dizzy. Well, goodbye to 2011 and here’s to a brighter 2012!

Laurie and Richard, yes, it is incredible that the Doctors don’t warn you about this type of thing, since it is so prevalent. I am almost 2 years out, and must say that things have improved, so hopefully this will be the case with both of you.
One thing you should definitely check is the other meds you are on. This is particularly true of blood pressure medication. If you are on these meds, you may want to discuss an alternative with your doctor.
Also, I have found that it is important to keep yourself well hydrated. I’m not sure why this makes a difference, but I would recommend drinking some water soon after you wake up in the morning, and keeping some form of liquid in your system throughout the day.
Good luck, and stay positive!

From one who had heat exhaustion in the 80′s, hydration is very important for all time. Dehydration can cause dizziness, vertigo, nausea, vomiting and death. Also most medications can cause you to be dehydrated. Blood pressure meds take fluids from your body and potassium. I take potassium every day. Lack of potassium can damage your heart and other vital organs. I keep bottled water with me all the time.