Comments on: "High Heart Rate After Valve Surgery?" Asks Pete

By: Gary

Gary — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:18:20 +0000

I just had open heart mitral valve repair done a week ago at Grant Medical Center in Columbus, OH. I am 61, exercise regularly, and have a normal resting heart rate of between 50 and 60 bpm. After surgery, it fluctuates between 70 and 94. I am on only 25 mg a day of Metoprolol. I was warned about the increase but it is still concerning. However, after reading about all the prior cases in this blog, I am less concerned now and understand it takes time for the heart to adjust. I am healing very quickly. I attribute this to eating correctly, doing my deep breathing exercises and already walking a mile a day (only 8 days after open heart surgery). The high blood oxygen concentration has to be helping. I plan to do as much exercise as my body will allow to see how quickly my resting heart rate will fall to pre-surgery norms. Thanks to all those who posted prior to this….very helpful information.

By: sonia

sonia — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 04:15:26 +0000

Hello Adam,

I would like to thank you since I found your page just browsing about open heart surgery. My mother in-law just went through the ordeal. Your blog helped me about the surgery and give my family encouragement. Today is 2 weeks since the surgery. Everything was going well until today when she needed to be admitted for an irregular heart beat. According to the doctors, its pretty common but as usual I found comforting words in your blog. Thank you. She’s being treated and she will be all right.

By: Frank Ingels

Frank Ingels — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 17:31:34 +0000

Pete,
I had Mitral repair 11 Jan 2011, by the time I left the hospital, 15 Jan 2011, the pulse rate was up to 90 from normal of 60. After three weeks I started having fibrillation. Finally they put me on Amiodarone (200mg)and Metroprolol (25mg) and a full asprin each dayt and I have done fine. Had to lay off of caffeine, but occasionally glass of tea or half of a real cup of coffee is okay now. Pulse rate is in 60′s again. They think that as the heart heals I can come off the meds, sometime in late May we will try. Fortunately there are no side effects to the meds.
Have heart (sorry about the pun) and don’t worry and be sure to do the rehab as it will make you really feel great.

By: Jean Malbrough

Jean Malbrough — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 19:48:37 +0000

Pete: I had my aortic vale replace about 8 months ago with a porcine valve. I had complications in the beginning, two pleural effusions. Once I recovered from that my recovery took off. I’ve been off all medications for about 4 months, exercising regularly, the star patient. All of sudden I felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest my heart rate went up to 90 from the usual 70 and my b.p. off the charts. I feel like I age 10 years in a month. Finally, got into see the cardiologist, not an easy task. I was put on Bystolic 5mg. It really dropped everything down in two days. Now, I am 107/60 with a pulse of 60. It has really slowed me down. However, the echo confirmed that my heart is fine. It is reassuring to know I am not the only one with this issue.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 18:30:04 +0000

I had mitral valve repair on Jan 24 and have atrial flutter and a fast heart rate. I’m on metoprolol and diltiazem as well as warfarin. My doctor in the hospital told me this condition often resolves in around 3 months. I hope he’s right!

By: Roger

Roger — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 03:08:44 +0000

2/15/11: I left a message about 4 to 6 weeks ago. My heart rate was elevated (90′s to low 100’s) after my mitral valve repair on 10/22/10. I began a progressively intensive exercise regimen around Christmas, ’10, about 10 weeks after surgery. Nothing crazy, but walking, progressively increasing up to 4 miles at about 4 mph, carrying hand weights starting at 1 lb per hand working up to 5 lbs per hand, generally every other day. I also do light upper body exercises. My heart rate during normal activity is now down to the 70’s and my resting rate is into the 60’s. I’m 58 and have always been in reasonably good shape. I am still on Coumadin and very low dose Lopressor. I’m hoping go get off these in another two months. I believe the exercise has had a very beneficial effect and highly recommend it.

By: Frank Ingels

Frank Ingels — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:45:39 +0000

I had mitral valve repair 11 January 2011. Before I had no real symptoms and a pulse rate of 60′s. In great shape for 73.5 years and at 5’5″ and 143 pounds fairly lean. Was walking 2 miles a day and doing 40 pushups.
Now after the surgery I have been gaining back stamina and walking a mile twice a day. But the pulse rate was in the 90′s. I don’t tolerate Corge (Beta Blocker) without sinking spells so I am not on a med at this time. However today for some reason in the space of an hour the pulse rate jumped to a steady 133. I had worked in the office for a few hours this am and had started thinking about attending a meeting the 10th of Feb. Now I am concerned about my health and am thinking seriously of quitting work entirely.
What about this pulse rate jump? Don’t seem to have fib or flutter.
Have not yet heard back from the cardiologist nurse (called at 1pm and it is only 4pm now). Would walking still be advised?

By: Denise

Denise — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 02:50:28 +0000

I had mitro valve repair Aug. 12, 2010 with a ring put in the valve. I have had a high heart rate since my surgery. My normal heart rate was always 80 and now it runs between 100 and 108 resting. I have been to the cardiologist several times and have mentioned this to him. He does not seemed concerned about it but is weening me off of Snythroid for my thyroid to see if that is what is causing the high heart rate. I am 4.5 months post op and it has not changed. I have been through cardiac rehab since September 2010 and continue as of today. My heart rate is high everyday that I go. It seems to come down quick after being on the treadmill but not below 104 when I leave. Have been off all beta blockers since 3 weeks after surgery. I know they would help lower it but the doctor does not want to do it yet until he sees if it the thyroid medication. I dont think that is the answer. Does anyone out there know how long before the heart rate goes back to normal after surgery?

By: Hjalmadean

Hjalmadean — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 23:46:54 +0000

My mother at 86 had mitro valve repair Sept 28.2010. Everything has healed nicely. but does have high heart rate, sometimes as high as 127. Being concerned I asked her doctor and he says that the body has been through a lot and it will take time for her body to adjust. She had a lot of trouble with her vision after surgery but now it seems to be clearing up. Does have spills where her blood pressure would drop below 100, which the doctor increased her sodium intake which has helped.

By: Jim Corbett

Jim Corbett — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 19:08:19 +0000

I’m 54 and had minimally invasive mitral valve repair on 9/14/10. I’ve been concerned about my heart rate as pre surgery my at rest rate was in the low 50′s. Now it is in the mid 90′s. Like everyone else, my cardiologist and surgeon said not to worry. I’m two months post op and have seen no change. From some of the responses, it looks like I should wait until the first of the year before being concerned. I’m currently on no medication and plan to resume running soon.