“Dizzy After Heart Valve Surgery?” Asks Rick

I get dizzy too, not when standing up from sitting but when standing up when bending low (like when I examine something on the bottom shelf.)

I had that before the surgery, and my various docs have attributed it to both the ace inhibitor (enalapril) as well as the beta blocker (metoprolol) that I take.

I wish I could say the cure for me was to really get into it, like back in the days I really enjoyed the playground merry-go-round. But I don’t enjoy it the dizziness, not at all.

The only dizziness I experienced was when I was taking Lortab/Vicodin while in the hospital. I just needed to take it on a full stomach. After a couple of weeks, I would only take Vicodin just before bedtime (even on an empty stomach) so I didn’t experience the dizziness then.

I too have been slightly dizzy when getting up from a squating position since my mitral value replacement Dec ’08. My cardiologist says it may be a drop in blood pressure (I am not on any BP meds). I did not have this prior to the surgery. I initially thought it was vascular, as I through a clot to my leg and had to have surgery there as well, but they assured me that was not it. Cardiologist said to keep monitoring it.

I’m 8 weeks out of aortic valve replacement. For the first several weeks I experienced dizziness when standing, as described. I have always associated it with coumadin, but the further I get away from surgery I have fewer and fewer instances of dizziness, and am still taking coumadin, so I believe what the STS is saying is accurate. That is it is a side effect of the other drugs used during surgery etc.

I definitely experienced dizzyness after my heart valve repair. I had about 5-6 really scary episodes lasting just a few seconds each time. I lost my balance and felt really weird. This lasted for several months and then one day it just stopped. I was told that it wasn’t a typical side effect, but have read about a lot of people having this problem after the surgery. Hope this helps. Debbie Berman

Yes – I am 4 months out from mitral valve repair surgery and I am still experiencing regular bouts of dizzyness/light headedness. It is not too severe but more of an annoyance than anything else. It could be the cozar medication that I am taking, my eyes or something else. Just not sure. I exercise regularly and have no other symptoms. So I’m just not worrying about it but will mention to my doctor next time I see him.

I have had several dizzy spells since aortic valve replacement surgery. I am taking atenolol for blood pressure and it is a listed side effect. One trick the physical therapist taught me is that before standing up or sitting up after an extended time in the position is to move your legs and arms, flexing and unflexing the muscles before standing. The contraction of the muscles force the blood to circulate and raise your blood pressure. This should ease the dizziness.

I also got dizzy after my mitral valve repair. But the reason for me was that the beta blockers had my blood pressue pretty low. The trick is to move slowly specially when getting out of bed also when standing up from a sqatting position. It has been 6 weeks and while I am still on the meds the dizziness is less.

hi, i am one year post surgery and i still have some dizziness especially when im looking up and my eyes are closed. sometimes its bad when standing up from sitting at the computer.it does seem less and less each month though. is anyone experiencing any vision problems too? like changing from far and near with bluriness? jeff jeffstoveken@yahoo.com for any questions or comments, thanks!

I had dizzy spells for about 6 months. Now at one year post aortic valve replacement, I look back and don’t think I have had an issue for six months or so. There was a string of questions about this issue sometime last winter (February or March) that was pretty informative. I was told it wasn’t a typical side effect and that if the feeling was of the room turnign around me, it was more likely an inner ear imbalance rather than a side effect. Either way, they got less and less and seem to have disappeared about six months post surgery.

I was “unsteady” and felt light headed when I was finally able to stand and walk during physical therapy at the hospital after my mitral valve replacement surgery. I was told this was normal. At home, I did feel a bit dizzy when I got up from bed after resting, but that was due to the pain medication I was taking. Since then (its been almost 2 1/2 months since the surgery) I have not had a problem. Sounds like blood pressure (high or low)?

I am also having bouts of dizziness when standing up from a kneeling position. I have been told that it is a side effect of the beta blocker metapropyl which acts as a governor on the heart to prevent it from speeding up quickly. I can go out for a six mile run and never get dizzy but everytime I stand up from a squat position I have momentary dizziness.
Four and a half months after bicuspid aortic valve replacement things are going well though. i am working full days on the farm but still get very tired.
John O’Neill

I am one year post-op for aortic valve and root replacement, and I still get dizzy once in a while, but only for a few seconds. It was much worse soon after surgery – for the first few months. The only medication I’m on now that I wasn’t on before surgery is Metoprolol (50 mg). I absolutely blame my dizziness on that medication! But… better a little dizzy than…
Sean R.

I had some MAJOR dizziness after my AVR. After a couple of weeks of misery it was found that the lasix I was taking to prevent the fluid build-up in my legs was making me extremely de-hydrated and my B.P. went way down. The lasix was stopped completely and in a couple of days the dizziness went away. Of course, my legs then swelled up like giant sausages (there’s always something new and exciting!!) but I started on a much reduced lasix prescription which got things back to a manageable level. Now, 8 months later, I don’t take lasix, I don’t get dizzy and I only get slight swelling of my feet, so things DO get better, it sometimes just takes a while.

I had mitral valve repair surgery on 9/3/09 (annulus repair) using the Davinci Robotic minimally invasive procedure. I have had a few spells of light headedness but I have not experienced any dizziness, in fact, I used to experience dizziness quite regularly when rising from a prone position and that seems to have gone away.

At nine months out from AVR I still experience a few very slight dizzy spells. It’s less frequently now than the first few months. I am not on any meds related to the surgery and don’t take anything for blood pressure either.

Very infrequently I would notice something strange like dizzyness, and by the time I stopped to wonder what it was, it would go away within a few seconds. Very strange. It wasn’t when standing, sitting, or anything I could tie it to. Just out of the blue, maybe once a week. My cardiologist couldn’t suggest any causes since I’ve been in perfect health otherwise.

Yes, things like this are a little scarey until you get used to them and decide it’s nothing to worry about. It’s nice to see I haven’t been the only one with odd goings on, but I feel bad for those who have had it much worse than me.
Joe

I have experienced dizzyness while standing up after have mitral valve repair. Outside of the repair I have not had any other health problems. It is now more than four weeks after the surgery and it seems to happen less , but it is still happens enough to be disconcerting. When I tell my healthcare professionals they kind of shrug and say, hmmm, but there does not seem to be a clear answer why. Anemia? Dehydration? It also seems from their reaction that this is not common. My wife points out that I’m getting a lot stronger with time but the light headedness is a little worrying and it would be good to know what other people have experienced and what the explanations they may have heard.

I was told by an electrophysiologist the other day regarding my dizziness (for 9mos now) that there are a lot of unexplained neurological symptoms that can occour from exposure to anesthesia, being in the ICU, and being attached to the heart lung machine. He seems to think most issues resolve with time, but no one knows for sure why people are affected so differently. I am adapting to my dizzyness, and it can happen at anytime, so I am very aware of my movements, nothing too quick, and monitor my surroundings at all times (I have tripped over curbs and stairs with my disorientation). My doctors said they wish there was an easy answer for everything, but unfortunately that is not the case.

Hi Adam,
First of all, thank you for this blog. I was beginning to think (three weeks after aortic valve replacement and single by-pass) that I was nuts. Now, I know that I may still be nuts but I have company.
Secondly, yes, I was dizzy in the first week after surgery. I had had high blood pressure before the surgery and came home on a beta blocker. I suspect that it was the medication that left me dizzy and sometimes lightheaded. I also had one episode of double vision that was very frightening but may have been caused by stress.
Thanks for the chance to help others. Joan

yes I had dizziness when I am walking around my neighborhood, which I am almost over, my next question is did you have sever aching in your side, after 6 mnths has passed? why am I having this issue now.

Yes, Adam, I too have been dizzy/lightheaded/spacey since my aortic valve replacement at the end of July ’09 It seems to happen at random times. A couple of times I’ve had double vision which is alarming, but doesn’t last long. Also other visual annoyances – hopefully this too will eventually just go away?

Hi Adam
I am 22 days post-op for MVP with regurgitation. My valve was repaired. I just started getting dizzy spells a couple of days ago and have been searching your site for some answers. My spells happen when getting up from a resting or sitting position and sometimes they are severe enough to have to hold onto something and wait for them to go away. Sometimes I feel just like I’m not all here. I am on very few meds now and am taking no painkillers whatsoever. My BP seems normal. They were worrying me but I can see I am not alone. Cheryl, Ontario

Hi Adam
Two weeks ago I installed a new kitchen floor in my daughters house. It was made up of sixteen by fortyeight inch composit board pieces cut and then snapped into place. After kneeling down and getting up thousands of times to measure, cut and place each piece I soon realized I was no longer dizzy when I stood up. This would of been five and a half months after aortic valve replacement, anerism repair and one bypass. I have not had any dizzyness since then. I am still on the same dosage of Metoprol (correct spelling) so my body must finally be compensating for it. Maybe this is one of those things time cures?
Thanks again for allowing us to share our experiences to help each other.
John O’Neill

ADAM,
I AM GOING TO CLEVELAND CLINIC WEDS,10/28, FOR AN AEORTIC ANEURYSM [GROWN FROM 5.1CC TO 5.6CC IN 3 MONTHS ] LOCATED BEHIND HEART, A REGURGITATING AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT & THREE BLOCKAGES.
THANKS TO YOU, YOUR BOOK & THIS SITE, I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SURGERY BECAUSE I’VE LEARNED WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE INFO PRESENTED.WE FEEL BLESSED TO HAVE FOUND THESE PROBLEMS EARLY ENOUGH TO REPAIR THEM.
I WILL GET BACK TO YOU AFTER SURGERY & HOPEFULLY ADD TO YOUR OTHER RESPONSES.
THANKS AGAIN,
COACH BILL DAVIS, ESTERO,FL

Hi Adam,

My mom had a valve replacement and a by-pass procedure done nearly six weeks ago. Over all she has been recovering nicely. The one thing that has been bothering are these coughing attacks that she gets once a day. She says she feels a flutter in her chest which them makes her cough uncontrolablly. Once she has finished cough she needs to rest.

This fear of coughing has caused her to stop going out for fresh air and at time stop from exercising. Is the cough a post procedure side effect?

Hello Adam,
I have a question for the panel?
I had my mitral and aortic valves replaced this past July ’09 and have been dealing with dizziness for the past few months. Most of it seems to start when I walk or exert myself in a sustained activity. My original valves were damaged from Endocarditis and I now have two St. Jude mechanical valves. My problem is that I am suffering from dizziness spells. This is frustrating because I am very active, 35 years old and work in wood shops for a living. Dizzy is not a condition you want when you work with power tools all day. What I would like to know is what to expect from recovery 6 mo. to a year post surgery and if anyone else has encountered this issue?
I am currently on no medication except blood thinners. (warfarin)
any input would be great.
Thanks

Hi Adam,
I’d first like to thank you for your website. It was very helpful before my aortic valve replacement in February 2009. I too have been experiencing intermittent bouts of dizziness and being lightheaded. This is the last troubling item from my surgery. I have been attributing it to my recent change in medication. I developed a retinal occlusion related to my surgery. As a result, I am now on coumadin. But now that I read that others have experienced it, I am rethinking this. Out of curiosity, are any of the other suffers on warafin as well?
Thanks you!

Yes, I’m experiencing mild dizziness 3-1/2 months after mitrala valve surgery. I also have vision issues, ie, light sometimes causes gray spots which disappear quickly. I’ve also experienced sudden changes in focus causes problems.

Hi all,
I have constant dizzyness since a prostrate bi opsy turned septiic last week (Feb 2010) I spend 3 days ICU and 4 days in a hospital ward although thankful to be alive I have this horrible dizzy feeling and room spinning 24/7 when out of bed. Has anyone had this same complication as me and do you know is it as a result of all the medication (anti bio,s etc) how l long did it last.
Kindly,
Martin (Australia)

Hi Adam,
Thanks for your website, It has been very helpful as was your book.

It has beem 6 months since my aortic valve replacement and for the past few weeks I have been experiencing dizzyness and chest tightness. I am not sure whether or not the chest problem is the result of opening my chest or something else. My blood pressure is also higher than it has been for years 140/80. I am travelling and presently in San Diego. Anyone know a good cardiologist out here?

I have had all of these except vomiting and skin rash at one time or another since my surgery.

Dear Adam,

Thank you for your book. It saved me from many down moments. One of my friends bought me your book after I had valve replacement surgery at the end of last July. After I finished reading the book, I donated it to the library where I work, and it is now part of our collection. I am on Warfarin, and I do experience dizziness, every day!! My cardiologist put me on salt pills as well. He believes my dizziness is a result of the CVA I suffered only two weeks after I was released from the hospital. It could be. Although, I strongly have a feeling “my” dizziness is a side effect from taking Warfarin. Thank you again for all your work and blessings to everybody.

I am a 62-year old woman. It is now four and a half weeks since I had my aortic valve replacement (mechanical) and in these last few days I have been experiencing dizziness with what seems like very little exertion: going up the stairs, walking at what I consider a “normal” speed. Is it still early days, and is my general state still a bit weak, or should I be concerned? It is a real nuisance. I am expected to go back to work in another week and a half, and I am feeling nervous about that. In general, my recovery has been fine although I do find the thumping of the heart, right up to my throat, a bit disconcerting. I would appreciate any comments. This blog is a great thing.

It’s been exactly 1 year since surgery for valve replacement. I’m 57. I still get dizzy spells. I have pacemaker as well.

6 weeks after surgery for my aortic valve replacement and I am still getting the dizzy spells, which are not easing up at all. So much so, I went to see the cardiologist again last night. He saw that the valve was working OK, no blood clots or such things around it. He spotted a slight leaking of the pericardium with some inflammation which maybe could account for the problem. I started immediately on anti-inflammation treatment. Tomorrow I will get checked for anaemia and to see if my thyroids are OK (I have had treatment for those for 28 years.) Basically, the doctor could not think of what could be causing these dizzy spells which can last up to 5 minutes and which, once I have had one, seem to leave me disposed to have repeated spells within the following few hours leaving me trembly, weak and feeling pretty bad.
Interestingly, looking at what people have commented about their eye problems, I did have one occasion a couple of weeks ago when I lost all my peripheral vision and could only see what was in the centre of the eye, like looking through a tube. That has not been repeated, thank goodness.
My doctor has suggested going to Mexico City (we live in Puebla, Mexico) to have one of these explorations down the oesophagus in order to see very clearly how everything is working in the heart area, IF this doesn’t clear up. Let’s hope it’s not necessary. The great thing is that my doctor really wants to get to the bottom of this and is thinking about all the things that could be causing it, so I don’t feel so alone. I am grateful for that.
I am taking Sentrum as my anti-coagulant and Danzen to reduce some inflammation in the lungs, product apparently of the surgery. What I note most of all from other people’s comments is the other doctors are saying they don’t know why this happens. I would love to hear from any doctor who DOES have an idea. Thank goodness at least it is recognized by the STS as you mention above.There must be someone out there to throw a bit of light, as I don’t fancy the idea of this continuing. I am taking another couple of weeks off work to see if it will clear up.
I am also feeling a lot of tension in the shoulders and neck and back of the head and will take something like a valerium tea to relieve that. Could all these tense muscles be contributing?
Apart from all this “negative” stuff, I feel great!!!!!!! That’s the trouble, I can’t wait to get back to my busy life, get back to teaching all my lovely students whom I have neglected for the last 9 weeks, and get back to my zumba classes. That’s not asking too much, is it???!!!
The thing is I didn’t feel bad before I had the surgery, except for a cough which has disappeared and having to stop for breath in my exercise classes. So, when people say “You must feel so much better now!” I say, “Well, not really”, but once this dizziness has gone, I am sure that’s when I will feel like a new person again.
Any comments welcome. Maybe someone can identify with something I have said. I would be particularly interested in other people who have had their surgery in Mexico.
Thanks again, Adam for this forum. I had to laugh at your comment “Europe and Heart Valve Stress Do Not Mix”. In the autumn of 2008, I went on a 10-week trip to Europe: UK, France, Germany, when my stenosis was still in the “light to moderate” stage, travelling on endless buses, planes and trains, lugging bags around, up and down underground stations,visiting friends from school and university days, taking French and German language courses and much more, and then a few months later got back into a full time teaching job back here. And then in January this year, I was told my stenosis was in the “severe” category. I wonder if there was any connection! (I don’t want to know the answer to that one!!)

Thank you so much for this blog! (And for your book Adam! I read it to prepare for the surgery and it helped so much!) I was beginning to worry and/or think I was losing my mind because of recent dizziness/vision problems I have been having. My eyes seem to strain so much easier now and I almost feel cross-eyed sometimes! Being on the computer for too long is really hard on me. Anyway, thank you all for your input. I am a 31-year-old woman and 5 months out of my mitral valve repair. Otherwise I am doing great.

Yes – I am having ongoing light headed and dizziness problems since my Aortic Valve Replacement 14 weeks ago. I believed it might be due to the Beta Blockers I am taking (which still might be the case) but a blood test has shown I have a low blood count since the operation. The doctor has given me Ferrous Sulphate tablets (Iron). I have only been taking these for 3 days and so far no noticeable result.
The dizzy light headiness is really slowing me down and leaving me unable to do anything physically challanging at all.
Fingers crossed.

I had been having dizziness when standing, when rolling over quickly in bed, also had hissing sound in my left ear. This was happening 3-4 times a day, would not know where I was. Called my cardiologisst who changed the times of my medications a month ago. I have since only had two incidents, so hoping that is the answer.

My father had a bypass and valve replacement over a year ago and is still experiencing the dizzy spells. He has been back to the doctors who confirm all is well and really it is something that they have no answer for. My father did have a tough time coming out of the anaesthetic and had to be sedated for several weeks before they could bring him round. We are not sure if all the sedation contributed to this condition. He is finding it hard to deal with and when he has one of these spells he does feel really ill and frightened. I was wondering if anyone else knew how long these dizzy spells will continue and when he may expect to feel the benefit of having this major operation.

this is a great forum to read about people who have had the same surgery as I. I had my aortic valve replacement surgery in may 2010, this following my near death experience in march of 2006 where unknowingly i had an anuerysm dissection occur and needed immediate surgery. i have been getting slightly dizzy since the 1st surgery, but now i get extrememly dizzy at times and experience some dizziness everyday. i have slight pain spots in my head when the dizziness occurs. i have been told it could be the meds, the bypass machine, nerves that were hit, the effects of having open heart surgert, then referred to a nuerologist whom i see tomorrow august 30th 2010. i also have a patch of hair missing from my head that no one can explain.the hair hasnt grown back and it was a black and blue burn mark for 3 months. one nurse said the halo used to free my brain may have been to tight and the electrode shocked me, another said maybe they tried to pull it from my head and it was stuck and ripped the hair out…oh well. but my dizziness is more than a nuisance, it comes with nausea sometimes, headaches, blurred vision and the worse episodes come with all of the above with a dose of the world spinning in my head!

I received a bovine aortic replacement on June 11, 2010. Fortunately, I had no complications. However, on occasion I have experienced dizziness. In my case, it seems if I have not been drinking enough water or other liquids, I can become dizzy, particularly since this has been a long hot summer. For example, I was at a bakery counter and I became so dizzy I had to hold on to the counter. I immediately ordered an iced teas and drank half of it while I waited for my change. The dizziness stopped and I was able to go on my way. A visiting nurse told me that if I do not keep the liquid intake up, my blood volume is more than likely to drop and cause this feeling of dizziness.

I stumbled onto this website by googling for answers to my questions/concerns. I am 49 years of age and lead a very active lifestyle. My surgery on 8-6-2010 was to replace the portion of my ascending aorta where an aneurysm developed above the root and replace my bicuspid aortic valve with a tissue valve. I’ve been monitored for many years, knew this was inevidable but only experienced some shortness of breath just prior to surgery. Always have had low bp 90/60 on average with 50-60 bpm. My husband and I had 3 wks. to mentally prepare for the operation, if that is possible! Following surgery, I remained in ICU for 5 days until my heart was functioning well enough to take me off the temp. pacemaker. I was home 7 days after surgery; immediately I noticed I could not see as well; have to wear my readers constantly and I can’t be on the PC for very long or read without experiencing dizziness & headaches. On day 11 my heart rate dropped low enough that I passed out; I believe self-induced for trying to do way more than I should at that point not to mention I was severely dehydrated. It is believed that my heart rate dropped extremely low to onset the black out. I am now just beyond 4 wks. and more frequently experience dizziness, being light-headed, dull headaches above the brow line & some more intense where light & noise irritate me. Some feelings of nausea accompany the dizziness. Most recently this happened while riding in the car, and it was scary. Yesterday I felt so terribly dizzy, I put on my bp cuff and recorded to incidents of 40 bpm, which I am certain now that is why I am getting dizzy. Back to the cardiologist & surgeon tomorrow, maybe we can get to the bottom of this. Granted it has only been 4+ wks. May need a pacemaker? The only med I am on is oxy-codone (1x/before bed) for the past week or more. Any suggestions out there? I hope this is just a time-issue….thanks!

Yes I too experienced dizziness along with numbness and tingling in my extremities, after my mitral valve repair in November 2006. I also noted some periodic “double vision”

8 months after mitral valve repair, I still have dizzy spells. They are rare ( rarer as time passes). My pulse remains normal throughout these spells. I am on Toprol and Lipitor. The Toprol has been used for blood pressure for years. These dizzy spells are frightening because they can happen at any time ( not just when getting up from a chair or bed.)

I had aortic valve replacement surgery two weeks ago on November 1st. I had one very bad dizzy spell in the hospital. The doctors attributed it to medication. I was discharged on Sunday, November 7th and since coming home, I have had two episodes of lightheadedness and one whopper of a dizzy spell. I returned to the hospital where I received every possible test. My valve is okay and so is everything else.

Thank you, thank you! We thought we were missing something. My husband had AVR little over a month ago. He has had dizziness, nausea and vomiting and sweats. It appeared to be the meds but sometimes after taking meds no problems, others (most)problems. The “events” continue but not as long and not quite as often. Sounds like there is “hope out there” which is very encouraging. Thanks so much for your blog.

I had mitral valve repair surgery four months ago and I am still experiencing dizzyness and lightheadness, mainly when standing but also sometimes when sitting. Recently, I have had stretches of 2-4 days without any dizzyness, but then it has reappeared after any strenuous exercise. I am not on any heart or blood pressure medications and, as so many others have experienced, my doctors have no real explanation for the dizzyness. Several tests I have taken to find a cause of the problem, including one to see if my blood pressure is significantly different while standing than it is while lying down, have come back negative. I am very appreciative of this blog, because it has at least reassured me that I am not the only one with this problem. It seems that the only thing to do is wait it out.

I had a bovine valve put in 2 years ago and still get dzzyness and lightheadness. No one has figured it out yet. I also have constant buzzing in my left ear and soreness that has not left me yet. The dizzyness comes and goes and you really never know when it’s going to happen which is quite frustrating. It scares me to drive and make plans to do much of anything in fear I will get an attack. I was quite active before the surgery and now live a complete new lifestyle. But somehow you still go on and hope beyond hope one doctor could find out the reason for this, all these people experience this you would think somebody could figure it out. Thank You Adam this blog has been such a help seeing I’m not the only one with the problem. It just makes you wonder will this fear ever end. Diane

I am a 76 year old male that had an Aortic Valve replacement in late Sept. 2010. A month after getting home I fainted twice in one day. My Doctor said to have a pacemaker with defibrillator to keep my heart rate within proper limits. I have gotten along fine since then. I do however get dizzy sometimes when getting out of bed or up from a chair. Also get a bit shaky after about 4 hours without eating. I check my blood sugar at those times and it is always within limits. Could this problem be caused from one of my medications? Thanking you in advance for your thoughts on this matter.

Sincerely, Lee

I had AVR on November 1, 2010, and had 1 bout of dizziness in the hospital days after the procedure. The staff blamed this on lasik which causes dehydration. A week after coming home (14 days after the operation) I had another episode and ended up spending over night at the local hospital. They found nothing wrong. Again, another week later the same thing (this time I did not go to the hosiptal). My cardiologist blamed it on dehydration even though I was not taken any medication that should cause dehydration. I have AFib and have had it for 10 years. The Maze procedure during the AVR did not work. I’m on the same medication as prior to my AVR (Coumadin and Diltiazem) so I don’t think its the medication. The 3 dizzy spells I went through were severe with the room spinning, nausea and a cold sweat. Yesterday, just over 3 months after my surgury I had a light dizzy spell – no spinning or nausea or cold sweat.

My own opinion is that it is the body getting used to the valve and the dizziness will eventually disappear

It will be 3 years March and I still have dizzy episodes every now and then. I just sta still for a few minutes hold on and wait. They leave you light headed for a while then go away. My fear is I will get one while driving. This all started to happen after the valve operation not before. I have never been the same since the surgery. I have read a lot on this blog that has helped me at least I realize now I know I’m not alone in some of the problems I still continue to have. Hang in there & keep on ticking. Diane

I ran across your website when I was googling “causes of dizziness after aortic valve replacement surgery”. My mom had valve replacement surgery about 5 weeks ago. Although she seems otherwise ready to stay by herself, she has continued to have occasional dizzy spells since her surgery. My fear is that she will become dizzy, fall and break a hip or something – she is 82 years old. Due mostly to this very issue, we have kept someone with her 24/7 for the past 5 weeks. Any suggestions?

It’s really a tough one to answer. I never know when mine will hit (dizzy). But I can say I firmly believe the surgery had somthing to do with it. I might add that I had two bovines put in on the same day. My blood pressure flew out of contro and the first one exploded and they had to rush me back in I coded and was put back in opened up again for a second bovine each took 6 hours give or take I was 66 at the time and still have problems from it all. Don’t get me wrong I’m really thankfull to be talking about it but like others I was quite active before all this and I know live a changed lifestyle. Quite happy that I discovered this blog and saw that others have some things that are going on with me I know I’m not alone in this. Good Luck. Diane

My father is currently in hospital – he had aortic valve replacement and mitral valve repair 8 weeks ago. Although he was quite good immediately after surgery after about a week he started to deteriorate and now is flat on his back unable to do anything due to severy dizziness and nausea. Every time he moves the room spins and he feels sick. He is now unable to stand at all even washing and transferring to a comode is a problem. He has has an MRI and was told this was clear and has now been referred to ENT who want another scan of his ears. He has a constant headache which he has had for months – he is sure this is related. I am concerned that nothing is being done very fast to diagnose or releive his problems – he has lost about 2 stone and appears to be just ‘wasting away’ instead of enjoying life following surgery!!

I had my Mitral valve repaired alittle over 4 years ago and still periodically experience dizzyness. I’m not on any medication other than a baby aspirin a day. Periodically my vision goes askew and it seems as though my eyes are crossing although this is a relatively infrequent occurence. Obviously it’s related to the procedure given the number of patients on this dialogue who raise similar concerns.

I have had dizziness following valve replacement which is caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure. I am prescribed a vaso dialator to help with these symptoms. I don’t have them when at rest. Does anyone have any advice or experience with this that might help me.

I had a stent one day and the next a pacemaker, one year ago and for 6 months I have been changing meds regularly because of getting dizzy when I stand, and in general exhausted when this happens. Sometimes I think the Dr. feels I’m making this worse than it is? I’m on Digozin and Rthymol 325. If anyone has an answer to this — I’d love to feel better.

I had surgery to repair my mitral valve approximately two weeks ago. Since then I have felt pain in my back, just inside the scapula, dizziness when I stand, temporary loss of control of my right hand, and obscured vision in my right eye. My doctor attributes the back pain to the position in which I was placed during the surgery so his recommendation is to continue taking Vicodin to block the pain. The dizziness I attribute to low blood pressure due to the blood pressure medication he prescribed. The other problems occurred yesterday and after a little research they appear to be symptomatic of a transient ischemic attack, a condition that has me concerned. I plan to speak with my doctor today. Has anyone else had similar experiences?

My husband had aortic valve replacement (AVR) 10/25/2010. He had nonvascular surgery as he had no blockage and no COPD. He is 58. His valve proved to be even worse than it showed on the angiogram. He went home 10/31 and ended up via ambulance in the hospital on 11/7 as he was having continued dizziness, vomiting and lightheaded. This got worse on 11/7 and I called 911 as I was questioning if there was a defect in the valve or something. He was hospitalized for 3 days…nothing different. Went home and started with the same again. The meds he was on prior to his AVR were for bp, diabetes, then a heart drug post surgery and Warfarin (Coumadin as he had a mechical valve put it). They continued to keep him on these meds after the surgery and it appeared he was being overmedicated as he was continuing with vasospasms. His CV surgeon said nothing wrong with valve he felt it was overmedication from his Cardiac doc. I monitored his vitals 2-3 times daily (pulse, weight, bp, sugars). Finally, we took him off some of the meds and cut them down (in half) and low and behold things evened out. He was able to attend Cardiac Rehab again and not be passing out all the time and vomiting and sick.

As far as you go though, the back pain and TIA is nothing to monkey around with. I would advise you to get to your doctor. Are you taking fish oil and/or an 81 mg aspirin daily? Good luck to you.

I’m looking forward to dropping all the meds once everything settles down in about a month. I spoke with my surgeon and he came to the same conclusion, TIA. God bless the internet, beats the heck out of wandering through the stacks at the library. Since TIA is most often linked to a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain due to a blood clot, my surgeon prescribed Coumadin. I’m not happy that I’m taking yet another drug but I understand this is the best option for preventing additional TIA’s.

I had aortic valve replaced with bovine valve exactly one year ago today. I’ve been interested in reading this blog as I have also experienced some visual disturbances, mainly blurred vision lasting only a few seconds, very sporadically since surgery. These episodes are very random and fewer and further apart as time goes by. I’ve mentioned it to my cardiologist, primary care and opthamologist. They didn’t have any answers for me. I’m reassured that this seems to be a much more common problem than I thought. The only med I’m now taking is aspirin daily. I did experience some lightheadedness during the first 6 months while I was on metoprolol and attributed it to that med. Otherwise I’ve thankfully had an uneventful recovery and am back to my normal life. I am 64 yrs old.

Hi there, my mum had an aortic valve replacement and 2 new valves to allow blood in, as hers had eroded. I am really concerned as 5 years on she has put alot of weight on, gets extremley tired, and has shortness of breath when walking any steep inclines. My mum is now on beta blockers and blood thinning pills for the rest of her life, and i am really concerned the docters are maybe giving her to much!! I get very worried and would love to hear back anybody who has or knows of anyone who has any of these issues? Many thanks. Vicky.

This morning(April 14)I experienced the wildest dizzy spell after waking up to go to the bathroom.I am a female 75 years, I had a aortic valve replaced on Feb 14 2010. I took just this morning my blood pressure and it was high 172 over 90 with pulse 69. It has gone down now and is 145 over 83 and pulse 73. After the operation I was a week in ICU, a week in hospital and a week in physical therapy I went home and was taking half of Metoprolol Tartrate 25mg every morning and half every evening.The side affects were terrible, lost complete control of my bladder, and it seems to block all my brain functions. Just recently did the doctor give me a stress test that was normal and took me take me off the medicine, and now I suffer from horrible bouts of dizziness but I am not taking any heart medicine! Because it is too early to call, I have been looking for an answer on line, and found your blog, in a way, it makes me feel better.
I hope there is a way to heal from this! I will keep on reading, maybe somebody has the correct answer. It does not look like there is a cure yet for the after effects.
Thanks, Mary

i had triple bypass 3an half years ago an get dizzy spells when i bend down and when i sit down ,i have passed out a few times with face twitching while i was out anyone else get this?

I can offer hope to you who are having the hypotensive episodes. It does get better. I am now off the Medidrine and taking the baby aspirin and coumadin daily. Are most of you valve replacement patients taking a beta blocker. Someone mentioned to me that I should probably be taking it. I had my mitral valve replaced with a mechanical valve.

Thanks and god bless to all

Hi Adam

I have one spell of being dizzy it happened five weeks after aortic valve replacement. I have had a great recovery with no problems but this morning I was putting on my shoes getting ready for church and stood up and became dizzy for a few seconds and it concerned me so i looked at what you had to say about it. Thanks for your book and your update posted on the net.

Carl

Hi, Adam!
Thanks for this helpful link. My close friend just had aortic valve replacement surgery last Tuesday. Due to complications, he was still using breathing tube through his mouth until this morning. They removed it, but my friend was struggling with too much mucus, so they tried to reinsert it. His airways were quite irritated and swollen, so that tubing could not be reinserted. Instead an emergency tracheotomy was done & now he has the tubing externally connected to his throat. It is all very scary, but I do understand & observe that he is breathing much more easily this way. My concern is that he could develop infection from all that mucus that had collected around the tubing and the inflammation caused by the irritation of the tubing on his airways “due to his size” as his nurse explained to me this morning. He is a petite gentleman-only 5 feet tall.
Why didn’t they use pediatric sized tubing? Has anyone some information about how they or a loved one was able to avoid and/or prevent airway infection?This is my first visit to this site. Also please excuse my typos-I fell on way into hospital last night & injured my hand & wrist,so it is difficult and painful to type.Thank you in advance for any helpful information.Ruth

Although one of my symptoms before my surgery to repair a mitral valve on June 9th, was a light dizziness, it is much stronger now since the surgery. I would feel 100 % better if I could focus from the get go.

My husband (age 61) had aortic valve surgery (St. Jude’s valve) and several bypasses last Aug. On several occasions in the weeks following surgery, he had dizzy spells while standing, at least once while driving, and last night, for the first time, while just sitting in the living room ( after complaining angrily about car salesmen). He said that he thought he would have passed out if he had not put his head down and drunk some water. Then he was ok. He is taking Zocor, wayfarin, and metroporol. I too have mild dizzy spells only while standing or getting up quickly and now only take norvasc for blood pressure. Several pharmacists told me that all blood pressure medicines can make you dizzy, especially if you don’t drink enough water (64 oz.) They also told me (because I actually fainted several times when I began taking blood pressure medicine), that you should sit on the edge of the bed and move your legs several times up and down from the floor before getting up. I had all of the tests done to see what caused the dizziness–no cause was found). Do heart patient feel dizzy before eating (low blood sugar). Most dietitians recommend a healthy snack at 9:00, 3:00 and 9:00. Or could the dizziness be caused by a drop in blood pressure? My husband. a field biologist, works in extreme heat and humidity here in the South and on high hills. Last year before my husband’s surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, I read a lot of your website. It was very informative. Thanks. Other than the dizziness, difficulty getting INR right, and a muscle pain (surgeon says) in his left side, he is doing well, hunting ducks, etc.

After an aortic valve replacement I had a lot of trouble with dizziness, too. Cutting back on the Metoprolol dosage helped some, but not enough. Valve surgery was performed February 10, 2011, but by May the dizziness (and passing out) became a real problem, and on May 27 a pacemaker was put in place. End of problem, and I could drive again!
Marie

Im 8 months post op from AVR surgery, and I still get dizzy when ever I bend over to pick something up. I sure wish it would go away because it really bothers me.

After Mitro valve repair on June 9th I was Dizzy. I was home in 5 days and the dizziness continued for quite some time. But by July 18th when I had a visit with my Surgeon the dizziness seemed to be gone. At that time he took me off of Cumadin and Metoprolol Tart. The only drugs I was on by then, exept a baby aspirin which he instructed me to take forever. At this time I am in Cardiac rehab and am doing fine.
I have to add that before my surgery I was dizzy all the time for some years, but not like I was after surgery. I’m just thankful that I’m normal now.

Hello,
So the Beta blockers and ace inhibitor are causing are legs to swell , dizzyness and a caugh. and our blood pressue to go down to low so then why are we taking it lets ask a Dr. I have always had a blood presure has always been not low but never high more low then high. so i really don.t need this . or do I ?

Wow, sounds like the sudden onset of dizziness is pretty normal for heart valve patients based on the many comments here. I didn’t have the dizzy spells prior to MV repair on September 13th, they really just started within the last week at home. Now they occur almost everytime I stand up (passing quickly within 5-10 seconds). I’m on Wafarin and Metroprolol. I was on Metroprolol prior to surgery without dizzy spells. My cardiologist doesn’t seem too concerned. Just an annoyance for me that hopefully will pass like so many other people mentioned here before me. Thanks Adam! Very helpful to see that so many have had the same experience.

I am 7 months post-aortic replacement surgery. I had some issues with dizziness to begin with which subsided with the decrease in dosage and eventual cessation of my metropolol. For about five months I was feeling good and almost completely dizzy-free (except for when I would stand up quickly, which the doctor said was normal and nothing to worry about). However, recently I have been feeling much more dizzy, have collapsed once and been on the verge of collapsing numerous times. It occurs with both movement and rest and lasts for up to three minutes. The dizzy spells feel like I am spinning and really heavy. It is almost a nauseas feeling. Do you think this is anything to worry about? Has anyone else experienced something similar? Thanks!

My husband had heart valve replacement Aug 22, 2011. He had 2 units of blood in the hospital. He was also admitted Oct. 4, 2011 for 4 days and had 2 more units of blood. He is 69 has anyone experienced this?

I had aortic valve replacement 6 weeks ago and have been experiencing dizzy spells and some blurred vision. This has not occurred upon standing but usually when sitting and not doing any activity. I have been on Toprol until yesterday but experienced another episode today.

I too had dizziness especailly after exercising. I went to my cardiologist and he suggested that it maybe due to the repaired mitral valve not being able to open as well as it did before the operation (and failure). When the the heart is working hard, the valve does open as fast and wide as it did before. The explaniation makes sense to me and may be why people experiance dizziness after the operation and not before it.

I had aortic valve replacement and 4 by-passes 6 weeks ago. Today, I bent over to pick up a tool and almost fainted. I got stable and sat down.

Not a good experience. I\’m walking 2 miles a day.

Hi i had triple bypass 4yrs ago an am still getting dizzy spells an pass out sometimes i get them when i stand and sit down it makes me nervous an depresses me had lots tests and last saw neurologist an she thinks i may have a blockage so scared of going back to hospital

Hi Adam,

My dad is 73 years of age and had an aortic valve replacement 11 weeks ago. 3 weeks back he started shivering and shaking for about 45 minutes every night. After that he sweats and we have to change his blankets 3 times a night. His GP has done a few tests but cannot seem to pick up the problem. He was in Hospital for a few days but they decided to release him for the Christmas weekend. From 3 days ago he has started having dizziness, confusion then collapses. This last for about 2 minutes. I am not sure which medication he is on.

Please advise what might be causing this whole thing? At first I thought it was old age but your website has given me a bit more information.

Thank you!

I have too experienced these strange dizzy spells, and weak/blurry vision problems. I had my AVR 2007, and have since gotten these strange episodes. I had one really bad dizzy spell the other day while riding in the back of a car, felt the like world was spinning around and around. I often feel slightly sick, and weak after they happen. I am only on 5mg of Warfarin a day. I also suffered from slight hearing loss and tinnitus only 4 months after my AVR. I find this all very odd, and quite suspicious that so many other heart valve patients have all experienced the very same thing. I think there should be a serious investigation into this matter. As this can prove to be a very dangerous situation for patients on blood thinners.

I had my AVR done in Nov, 2010 and suffered dizzy spells soon after for several months. I’ve been on Coumadin for over 10 years for AFib. I was also on Diltiazem for over 10 years to lower my heart rate and blood pressure. I convinced my Cardiolgist to take me off the Diltiazem because I felt it was lowering my blood pressure to much. He did so after putting me on a Halter monitor for 24 hours to confirm my lower blood pressure. I’ve been off the Diltiazem since the middle of September, 2011 and I’ve not had any dizzy spells. Every once in a while I will feel light headed but nothing like the dizzy spells where the room is going around and you break out into a cold sweat and feel sick. In addition, I now work out for an hour 5 days a week – I believe this helped getting my blood pressure under control. It is the medications but trying to figure out which one is doing it is the problem.

I had mitral valve repair on November 9, 2011. My dizzy spells include the room spinning and a very queasy feeling in my stomach (like the drop on a rollercoaster). I’m usually already standing and have to grab something so I don’t fall down. The sensations pass in 3-5 minutes. It helps to sit down if I have someone to help me to a chair. I am not on medications, but the dehydration idea makes sense to me regarding the dizzyness…I’m going to try more water. I’m somewhat concerned about the dizziness since I return to work on 1-3-12 and use the stairs to get to the second floor. These spells just happen…no warning. I’ve had the visual disturbances which have been just like the aura I used to get before a migraine headache. Fortunately, no headache. These are becoming less frequent than right after surgery. I was told that when being on the heart/lung machine a large amount of fluid is pumped into your body. This can make your brain ‘soggy’ and cause pressure on the optic nerve which produces the visual effects. As the fluid leaves the brain the ‘light show’ goes away! I just hope my boss understands that I may be dizzy and seeing things!!

There is no reason for this except after cardiac bypass weired things can happen. I am a physician who is a patient as well with aortic valve replacement . I experienced similar symptoms for close to 4 months. They will improve with time. Just do not push yourself. Good luck

I had a mechanical aortic valve replacement March 2, 2011, went through a 3 month recovery period, then returned to work as an over-the-road driver. 6 weeks later I had to give up driving due to the extreme dizziness, tinnitus, and sudden drops in blood pressure.
This has left me unable to safely perform most types of work, with trying to qualify for disability as my only choice.
I take coumadin, metoprolol, pepcid, flomax, aspirin, and lisinipril.

I believe it to be caused by meds; anyone ever heard of this??

YES,

I am 4 weeks into my recovery and still experience a lot of dizziness, but it is like you explain. Generally when I get up from sitting or laying around I feel light headed and off balance. This happens several times a day for me. I am assuming it is from the one or more of the 7 meds I am on. I have my appt. with my cardiologist for the first time tomorrow after my surgery, hopefully he will clear this up. I also ruminate about something being wrong, I get a lot of different sensations from throbbing pain to my heart feeling pressured or pinched. Other times I don’t notice it. I also wake up in the middle of the night a lot gasping for air.

Thanks John

To the OTR truck driver: My husband had an AVR (mechanical) and underwent most of your symptoms about many weeks after surgery. He ended up back in the hospital per ambulance because as we were told by EMT “his blood pressure bottomed out”. He was having severe dizziness, severe sweating and nausea at anytime whether standing or sitting, doing nothing or something. He put up with this for sometime and then the worst episode I called 911 as he was “out of it”. This is when they came and took him to ER via ambulance and said his bp bottomed out. He was taken off the Metropolol and the Lisinopril (at our insistance) and was fine sometime after this. When his heart was not working right he needed extra medicine to keep the blood going cut with the new mechanical valve it was working superbly. He has since been doing great! Good luck to you, it is a miserable road but then it does get better.

I had mitral valve repair surgery last April and I had my first dizzy spell about 3 months post surgery. I was not sure if it had anything to do with the surgery or not, but since I didn’t have such spells before, I couldn’t help but think there was connection. After it happened a second time, my cardiologist had me wear a monitor for 4 weeks to see if there were any detectable changes in my heartbeat when I had one of the spells. Of course, nothing happened while I had the monitor. I still get the spells from time to time and I had one today while I was driving. I didn’t think my spells had anything to do with a change in position and the spell today definitely did not involve a change in position. The feeling I experience is similar to vertigo. The weird thing is that the spells are rather infrequent so I don’t know if there is a condition that can be identified to explain them. I plan to call my primary care physician and get some advice about what to do next.

Had mitral valve repair in 2010. Spent approx 260 minutes on by-pass. Post surgery was doing great w/walking 1-2 miles within 2 weeks. Dizzyness started creeping in within a couple of months. Now there are days I feel dizzy for 8-10 hrs a day. Also have episodes of double vision that last from 10 secs to 60 seconds. Occurs every couple of weeks to once a month. Also started having occular migranes. Don’t know if this is related to lower blood preasure due to Toprol XL or is related to the lengthy surgery. Had high blood pressure before surgery – now around 60/110

I experienced a lot of dizzyness after mitral valve repair surgery in Sept. 2010 and my cardiologist sent me to a neurologist. After some tests that did not show anything, he prescribed Fludrocortisone, which raises my blood pressure. As he explained it, my brain had been used to a certain blood pressure for 70 years and then when the surgery drastically lowered the pressure, the brain couldn’t handle it. The medication helped almost immediately, and although I still experience lightheadedness occassionally, the worst of the dizzyness is gone.

In the third week of recovery (my first week at home) I woke up and felt very dizzy and fainted. This continued throughout the day until my parents got home and i was taken to a and e. It was found that i was suffering from a common post heart op complaint, atrial fibrillation. I was put on multiple beta-blockers and after they all failed to help I was defibrillated and the condition was fixed. For more info just google ‘atrial fibrillation’.

I had a bovine heart valve replacement in 2006 and felt wonderful. That lasted a few years and then I have started to feel tiredness. I’m not at the point I started out before my operation and hope never to get there, but I was wondering how everyone out there feels after 5 years with any heart valve replacement. All my tests come out good, just wondering how others feel. Thank you for all your help.

March will make 4 yrs. since my bovine valve was put in. I still get dizzy spells. I coded and had it twice they think it was due to being put under twice for so long. I’m sorry to say a lot has changed for me since the surgery. The very best to you and I am very happy you are doing well. Still ticking, Diane

Diane, THANK YOU for your response. I haven’t gotten the dizzi spells everyone is talking about, my problem still is the fatigue, tiredness etc. I’ve been doing Yoga (gentle) for the past year and it really has helped. Hey, we’re still here and like you said, “still ticking” LOL – alot of people wish they could say that!!! Thank You again for a quick pick-me-up!!