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"Problems Sleeping After Heart Valve Surgery?" Asks Jenny

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: June 8, 2025

I just received a great question from Jenny about sleep after heart valve surgery.

Jenny writes, "Adam, I had mitral valve replacement seven days ago for regurgitation. I'm struggling a bit as I deal with the some of the post-operative challenges you address in your book. I'm really having an issue getting a good night of sleep. Sleeping at the hospital was tough enough. But, it's gotten worse since I came home. I feel like a Zombie. And, the night sweats continue. Is this common? Thanks, Jenny"

Over the years, I have spoke many patients - especially tummy sleepers - that have expressed several sleep problems following heart valve surgery. Some of those problems include:

Inconsistent sleep, waking up often
Insomnia
Night sweats
Discomfort getting in and out of bed
Heart pounding noises
Mechanical valve replacement clicking

Finally, some patients may have an adverse reaction to medication intended to enhance sleep. Personally, I had a very, very, very strange reaction to Ambien. One night, after taking a 10mg Ambien pill, Robyn (my wife) found me sleepwalking through our house. When Robyn approached me, I responded to her as if I was a character in a book that I was reading. When I woke up the next morning, I had no memory of the episode. Needless to say, that was the last time I took Ambien.

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

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