“When Will I Feel More Energetic & Less Tired After Heart Surgery?” Asks Joan

Hi Joan-

It may take a long time, ??? months depending on how much your heart needs to recover. In my case it took 18 -20 months to regain stamina. I immediately felt better after the surgery, however I had no stamina. The stamina came back slowly. Some of the best advice from the surgeon at 6 months was, “enjoy your recovery”. Once I had this in mind, the recovery was much easier.

LP

Hi Joan. Boy can I relate! I remember at 7 weeks after my aortic valve replacement getting the occasional ‘oh woe is me’ moments where I thought I would never be back to my old self. I went back to work at 12 weeks and was just then really feeling like my energy level had returned. I started Cardiac Rehab at around 9 weeks and some days I felt like I was too tired to do it but I always felt tons better after each session. Just hang in there and try not to get discouraged.

Hi Joan
Like you I didn’t feel too energetic, compounded by the fact that I couldn’t nap and wasn’t sleeping well. I had opted not to take the sleeping pill script I was given. I finally started checking my progress by the week, not by the day and learned I was improving and did have more energy. Be patient with yourself, your body has been through a lot of trauma. If you go to cardiac rehab you will also see a difference. Good luck.

Hi Joan,
I’m on week nine recooping from aortic valve replacement. I find that I get more tired on days I’m super busy. (I keep myself busy to off-set any depression, which might be hanging around! No depression, but I do get tired now and then!) I am going to cardiac rehab. At first I thought I could not see any progress re tiredness and general physical well-being, but, I sure can see it now. So, per your doctor’s advice, I would suggest maybe enrolling in a three-month session. Good luck and take care.

Linda, I too had an aortic valve replacement as well as a single by-pass but had thought I’d be able to get back to normal activities quickly. It took a little longer than I had thought but I’m pleasantly surprised at my current energy level and my stamina. Right now, I’m nine months past my surgery.

I’m a senior citizen and a bicyclist. I should add that I only began bicycling in my early 60’s so I’m not one of those life long bicyclists. Following my surgery, I was placed on coumadin for three months following surgery and was warned not to ride my bicycle during that period. I’m also a mountain biker so the risk of falling and hitting my head on the ground was there.

I went on my first road ride a couple of weeks after I was done with coumadin so that would have been maybe 14 or 15 weeks after my surgery. I managed to put in a decent 22 mile ride that day and noticed that my heart rate was consistently lower than it had been in the past. Stamina wasn\’t quite there and at times my legs felt a little shakey. In the end, it took me a little while to get back to my old form mainly because my legs were in terrible shape following those months of not riding; same with the lungs. Since then, I’m back to my old level and last weekend put in about 80 miles of cycling, not bad I think for someone in his early 70’s. Sometimes I think my respiratory system and all those creaking muscles had to get back into shape before I could go back to those longer and more intense bike rides.

My energy level has come back, it took a little longer than I thought it would but I believe that even though I’m a bit older now, I’m a stronger cyclist than I was before surgery. Those first few weeks after surgery were pretty tiring but several people reminded me that my body took quite a beating going through the surgery and it takes a while to recuperate from that amount of trauma.

Hang in there, it took a few more weeks to where I thought I was reasonably recuperated but after a few months, I felt that I was back to my pre-surgery riding level. Even more rewarding is the thought that having had my valve replacement, I might be able to get a lot more years of riding under my belt.

It was at least a year and after 12 weeks of intensive cardio rehab class that I started feeling a little better. But then it plateaued. When the tired feeling persisted I started looking at the medications. The Metroplol turned out to be what was really dragging me down. I asked why I needed to be taking it now and the cardio department said I really didn’t need to be taking so I went off it and things improved in a couple of weeks. Continuing with regular exercise was also very helpful.

HI,

MAY 30TH OF 2012 WAS MY VALVE REPLACEMENT, STILL TIRED AND SHORT OF BREATH I.M 49 AND I FEEL LIKE I CAN DROP. I HAVE A HEART RATE OF 47 TO 55 AND THE MY DOCTOR DROPPED MY DOSE OF AMIODARONE HCL 200 MG TO JUST ONE A DAY NOT TWO. AND I AM STILL TAKING METOPROLOL 25 MG TWICE A DAY.

ANY ANSWERED WOULD BE GREATFUL,I JUST SCARES ME WITH MY HEART BEAT THAT LOW.

I LOVED YOUR BOOK IT REALLY HELP THROUGH THE START OF EVERYTHING,I GUESS I BETTER READ THE END A FEW MORE TIMES. THANKS, LYNN

My surgery (mitral valve repair) was about eight weeks ago, and it’s only over the last week or so that I’ve felt like I have something like a normal level of energy. I’m back to something like my regular sleep patterns, make it through the day without needing a nap, etc.

Actually, pre-surgery I would have called the way I feel right now “tired.” I suppose I’m back to about 80% of my pre-surgery energy level.

For me, the first step was dealing with post-surgical anemia. I was really tired before they put me on iron supplements. Cardiac rehab has also been helpful. But mostly, I’ve tried to just look at week to week improvements, rather than worry too much about when I’d be back to where I was before.

I’m in my 60s and I’ve had two tricuspid valve replacements and recovery has been slower than I hoped after both of them — about 6 months before I was feeling close to being “my old self”. After the first T-valve replacement in Oct. 2009, I also was dealing with post surgical anemia and a couple of weeks after being released, I needed a transfusion and like the previous writer was put on iron supplements for awhile. That helped. Cardiac rehab also helped strengthen me and gave me confidence to exercise more at home.

My heart valved failed for no apparent reason 2 years later (very unusual!) and I had a 2nd triscupid valve replacement done, this one via transcather in my neck. It was a very new procedure. I was the first patient at Northwestern Memorial Hospital to have what’s called a Melody valve in the tricuspid position.The valve is inside a stent inside the old, failed valve.It has been done on other valves, but still I was the first for the tricuspid at this hospital and few other hospital in the US were using this method. That was nicer for me recovery wise because I didn’t have open heart surgery, no breast bone to heal, etc. I was in the hospital for 4 days rather than 7. However, recovery was not perfect with that either. That was done in Jan.2012 and my pulse was often in the low 40’s and I felt light headed and dizzy some of the time, so in April they put in a pacemaker, and that’s helped a lot. When my pulse was so low I had no energy, now my pulse won’t fall lower than 60 and will go up to 120, so that’s helpful when I’m walking or riding my bike. My new valve, according to an echocardiogram done in July is working well, and I’m feeling better now, too.

I go back and see my cardiologist at NMH in October and I think recovery is now on track. I try to remind myself that there is for me a “new normal” now and that helps me be less depressed about my progress. I do still get tired, have trouble sleeping and need to take naps. I think that’s all part of recovery, too, though.

I would say to Joan:Hang in there. Recovery varies (see Adam’s Book — I looked at that so many times) and talk to your cardiologist about your concerns. You’re right, the meds you take can make a difference in how much energy you have, too. Like you, I got tired of people telling me to rest and enjoy recovery. That’s OK up to a point, but after that you want to be up again and doing things, and you will. It just takes small steps sometimes.

Hi Joan,

I am 11 weeks post op from aortic valve replacement, I’m 45 and was very active prior to surgery and still get tired in the late afternoon. I went back to work three weeks ago, I’m a Physical Therapist Assistant, 20 hours a week, and I feel like I’m slowly getting less and less tired. The first week I was coming home right from work and taking a nap for a good hour, the second week I could stay up for awhile after work then I would nap from 3-4, this past week I have not been napping, just going to bed at my regular time and sleeping like a log!! I feel tired, but not that exhausted tired that I was feeling. I am also starting cardiac rehab next week, so I hope that doesn’t throw me into exhaustion again. All in all I do feel like I’m getting less tired, so there is hope for you! Give your body time to heal. Good luck!

Hi Joan,
Being tired is common after all surgeries including appendicectomy. It represents the body’s response to recovery after what is after all major trauma . As a cardiac surgeon, I always advise my patients that the full benefit of the surgery is not really felt for 3-6 months.

hi sir after three months heart mitral valve replacement i still have lung congession and wheesing .before surgeryim not a asthma patient when will my lungs function normally

I had aortic valve replacement 10/18/11,I am very short of breath and very tired all the time and now they tell me I have a slight leak around the valve is that normal

Hi Joan,
I had an AVR and an aortic aneurysm repair done on April 17th, 2012. I guess I was a textbook case as far as recovery goes. Once I hit the 3 month mark, that’s when I really started to notice a big improvement in my energy levels and stamina. I’ve just passed the 4 month mark and I feel 100% back to normal, I’m back to work on a full-time basis, and I’m performing all the physical activities I used to before surgery, including running, some weight training, and (when I’m feeling a little tired), just simple walking. Yes, during recovery I started to feel like I would never get back to normal, but as the weeks progressed, I started to see slight improvements, despite the ocassional physical setbacks that are a normal part of recovery. Give your body the time it needs to heal itself. You will soon see the light at the end of the tunnel. Best of Luck!

I had an aortic valve replacement on 7/13/12. I started walking a mile a day. After one week, now up to 2 miles a day or riding my bike 45 minutes a day. I started cardiac rehab one month after the operation. I have so much energy and stamina now I cant believe it. Before I was so tired. I will turn 60 in September. I have not felt this good since the mid 1980s.

Hi im post op of aortic valve replacement i had surgery on 9 july 2012 , even tho i feel fine in myself i am only 31 years ols i went and did school run i could only did one way then i struglled , when will i have energy? I want to be normal mum to my 2 children, all i wanted to do is sleep, or lathargic. Because of this i have to rely on other people when it should be me doing it 🙁 feel like failure as parent as im finding it tired to do things with my children , how much longer am i gonna feel like this? ( crying)

I am a year out after valve replacement surgery and although i feel a lot better I still get a full or bloated feeling in my chest when I start to work out but does go away . Here lately I’ll be sitting and get a sensation that’s hard to describe in the area where the valve is it feels like a flutter or like a gush that goes through and feels kind of funny , hard to describe !

I had my mitral valve replaced with a titanium valve on 12-12-2011. I hadn’t felt good for almost a year prior; tired, short of breath, etc. An echo showed my valve was almost totally calcified shut, only getting 20 percent of the oxygen that I should have. I did rehab for about 14 sessions after surgery and back to my job at the bank on March 1st.
This may have been too soon…. I decided to retire on May 18, I had turned 62 in January so took my social security. I still felt tired some days, not a lot of energy and wasn’t up to my normal pace! I don’t know how to relax or not do anything so this has been really hard for me. I am 10 months out from surgery and now feel “pretty good”, but now have a sore area to the left of my incision, right where I think the valve is. It’s like a sore, infection type of feeling – especially when I reach or bend a certain way? Anyone else had something like this? All my X-rays after surgery showed the breastbone was healed and no wires poking anywhere…debating whether to call and ask for MRI or X-ray to see if there is something wrong. Also have mild shortness of breath sporadically. I am embarassed to say I am a smoker, tried several times and ways to quit but haven’t yet…. 1/2 pack a day…

I had a pain in my lower left side for two years after having the aortic valve replaced. It got a lot better after I got a lumbar support for my car seat. Apparently some pressure kept it from getting better.

Hi-I am 6 months out after having aortic valve replacement. I had a lot of complications following my surgery and had to have a Pacemaker 4 days after valve replacement due to complete heart block. Had my right lung collapse a day after Pacemaker surgery, have had infections in top of my incision for several weeks. Everyone recovers at a different pace and as my Dr told me- be patient with your recovery. I have always been an active person so it’s been hard to not be at 100% yet, but I know it’s right around the corner. Just taking a little longer to get around that curve! Hang in there and take the time to let your body heal. Don’t base it on others but on what your body is telling you. Micki

Hi Joan,
I am now at 13 weeks, recovering from open heart surgery, to repair Mitral valve regurgitation and close a congenital Ventral Septal Defect. The surgery went very well, and both procedures are a success.
I went back to work, a medium stressful desk job, starting on my 7th week, and that wiped me out. I was pretty good walking for weeks 2-6, and had been doing some light exercise, but working all today was a game changer. Before the surgery, I only had severe, exhaustive symptoms, cardiac failure type systems for 1 month before the surgery, and had been impatient to get back to the previous level of vitality and stamina.
Now at 13 weeks I look back and realize I have come along way, and I was only 60% recovered at that 7 week mark.
Now, at 13 weeks, I can work and walk and exercise again, but it came on gradually. I have had some good days and some bad days but it did get better, still not 100% , but pretty close to it.
Hang in there, pushing yourself everyday, while its frustrating, will allow you to gauge you progress.
Good luck,
Phil

Hi Joan,

Just dont worry, you will feel fine very soon. My husband Raj underwent Mitral valve repair on 2 valves and an artery block 11 months ago and still feels tired. All the x-rays and ECGs show nothing wrong. He is back to his normal routine but the constant tiredness bothers him. Maybe once the medication is reduced he will feel fine. We were told by many friends that once surgery is over he will feel like a new man….but nothing like that happened. We are just hoping this phase will pass and all will be well.
Wishing you all the best and hope you get back on track soon.

Anita

No problems or symptoms before surgery. A doctor thought he heard a heart murmor and sent me for echo. Sure enough aortic valve problem. Surgery was 9 weeks ago.
I sleep 10 hours a day and think I could sleep 12 or 14. Had the 8 week EKG, Echo, and stress test. All were fine! They keep telling me I will sleep less in the future.

Thank you all for your comments. Im due to have aortic valve replacement beginning of December this year. At 50 yrs old,i too work and am active. Its good to read upbuilding comments after your surgery,and just how its down to each individuals body as to the length of recovery! Julie

Hello, I am 63 years young, and on July 7, 2012, (approximately 18 months ago), I had my aortic valve replaced with a Bovine value. . I am still lacking the energy and stamina I once had. I am diabetic, asthmatic, have a hyperactive thyroid, and a few other conditions (all of which I take medication). I”m beginning to doubt if I will ever regain my energy and stamina.
Please Adam or anyone with similar conditions share any advice, I would greatly appreciate any feedback.

Thank You,

Joseph

Hi Joseph,
I am now at 18 Months, after open heart surgery, to repair Mitral valve regurgitation and close a congenital Ventral Septal Defect. The surgery went very well, and both procedures are a success, I think I am finally used to the scar, but the chest cracked area still bothers me sometimes.
At the 12 month mark, I looked back and realized it took an entire year to get back to my pre-surgery level of vitality and stamina. The doctor said the body loses it quickly and takes a long time to get it back. I walked my dogs everyday twice a day, and used 5 and 8 pound dumbbells for some muscle building.

Now at 18 months I look back and realize I have come along way, and I was only90% recovered at that 12 Month mark.

I know I do not have the conditions you listed, but hang in there, the best advice I got was from my doctor telling me it was OK to push myself everyday. It was frustrating, but I am still improving, and using the “exhausted mark” to gauge my progress.
Good luck,
Phil

Hi, Thanks for the last response…My next question is; 18 months after Aortic Valve Replacement, sometimes both feet turn somewhat blue, according to my wife.
For many years I have had tiny (spider) varicose veins on both feet, with good color, . Could my Bovine aortic valve be causing this condition? What other conditions could be causing it?

Thanks Joseph

Hello, I am 26 days after aorta valve replacement with a bovine valve. Before surgery I walked 8 miles a day and worked out. I feel like my recovery is slow and it is depressing me. I ache in my upper body, my heart rate stays between 93 and 103 every day and I have night sweats. When will I ever feel better. Just WAITING…..

Hi; I am now 57 and had a triple heart bypass just on 18 months ago July 2014. Expecting to feel better by now, I am finding I’m always tired, have gout attacks in my feet nearly every 2-4 weeks and feel like I’m walking through treacle or water. I take quite some time to get my thoughts together and constantly forget things ( short term memory – yet I can remember things from 30 years ago in some detail ). I also have chest pains which never shows anything to be wrong. My recent blood test gave me a “perfect bill of health” as far as the doctor was concerned. I’ve been feeling depressed about many things, as well as no desire to clean up after myself or do anything in life. Prior to the operation these things were not an issue. I am now on a CPAP machine for Sleep Apnoea which is another issue to work through.

I was told my chest pains were “all in my head” according to one doctor – as their machines did not show anything, when I was readmitted back into hospital some months after surgery.
As a result If I do get any pain, I no longer tell anyone and keep it to myself – as no one takes me seriously since they can’t identify any reason for it. [ One day I will be found dead on the floor and no one will be there to help. As a result, this has led me to self diagnose with the internet, as no professional can find anything obvious; which is why I’m on this website now.]

My personal relationship has also collapsed since the operation, yet finding a new partner is nearly impossible at my age. I have no family support in my life and currently taking Metoprolol, Warfarin and Cholesterol tablets.
I have never smoked and I don’t drink, nor use illegal drugs.
Since my opp I have been on more meds than during my whole life. I’m now a walking chemist shop.
The only way I can cope is by pacing myself through the day and if I can’t do something – just politely refuse. I need a regimented sleeping program and lifestyle. I’m finding I don’t have the patience for people who want to argue or disagree with me and those who have no compassion.

Kimbal. I have nearly the same problem. My surgery was in 2013 and I get week from the legs down often, feel like I’m dragging my feet, don’t put things back up, have daily swelling of the legs and feet, and have the memory loss too. I did smoke for 28 years and was a medium drinker. Btw, I’m 46. My “mystery pains” feel like four in icepick gets stabbed in my side and slightly rotated. I have no reason for these pains that I can explain. I am fortunate that my wife of 21 years puts up with me and is so helpful and understanding because I get frustrated quickly and end up being snappy or angry for nothing.
Some days I can walk from the car to the inside of walmart. Some days I tire out just getting out of bed and walking to the bathroom. I have a bad knee and arm so it really limits my exercise.
Short term memory loss ? I hear ya buddy. I once walked to my van and forgot completely what I was doing. I didn’t recognize the items in my hand. They were keys. Hmm I thought. What are keys for ? Oh there must be a lock ! What kind of lock ? These look like auto keys and it says Chevy on it…. I had to walk over like a three year old and remember how a lock worked. I opened the door and totally had no idea what I was looking for so I closed the door and sat on the porch.
I also am dealing with the sleep loss from Sleep Apnoea and it sucks. I need to get on the machine I guess but I’m fighting the issue since I’m stubborn. I feel like I’m admitting that I’m sliding backwards in my health if I do.
That depression is hard to fight also. If it gets bad then I suggest that you get help. I have a friend who is a fellow heart patient and she refused to eat for six weeks due to depression. She now has a better grip on it. Depression can blindside you. Know the signs and get help if you need it. Don’t think that your alone in this battle. I struggle daily to find fragments of my old self to piece together in hope of being whole again. Good luck on your journey and I wish you the best.

How long do patients stay on metropolol after surgery? Surgeon mentioned 30 days post op

Hey John, I know all too well what you are going through.. i am 9 weeks post op of a Quad bypass and I feel worse now than I did before I had the surgery. Right now I am dealing with not being able to catch my breath when I walk or sometimes get into the car to go someplace. I was able to cut the grass, shovel the snow and do a lot of things that I have no idea if I will be able to do now that I had a operation to keep me from feeling bad and supposed to make my quality of life better. I hope things go better for you at some point and by all means go get a sleep test and get the machine.. I have it and it does wonders for me.

Hey Kimbal, I know all to well what your going through, i am 9
weeks post op of a Quad bypass and I feel worse now than I did before I
had the surgery. Right now I am dealing with not being able to catch
my breath when I walk or sometimes get into the car to go someplace. I
was able to cut the grass, shovel the snow, have a personal life and do a lot of things that I have no idea if I will be able to do now that I had a operation to keep me from feeling bad and supposed to make my quality of life better. I
hope things go better for you at some point.

I’m 3 years post AVR operation and as she said in the post i have no symptoms just a few pre surgery after surgery i got so many symptoms that bother me so bad like dizziness . numbness and blurry vision sometimes and also headaches done all the test and been to every kind of doctor every time it shows everything is ok but IM NOT FEELING OK AT ALL .. i don’t know what to do sometimes i think the warfarin is not good for my body which I’m stuck with to the rest of my life because of the ON-X IF I CAN GO BACK IN TIME I WOULD NEVER CHOOSE this valve maybe i would go for a tissue which is more natural choice but i choose the mechanical because this is my 3rd OHS and another 4th operation was the last thing that i want to think of

Hello everyone.
I have the same problem not energy at all, I’m 30 years old, I had my open heart surgery a year ago (august/2015) they repaired my mitral valve. I’m not taking any medicine but I feel horrible no energy, I want to sleep all day, every day 🙁 please help! My oxygen, my lungs, my heart is okay, so doctors says that I’m in good health condition, but I don’t feel like I am in a good condition, I walk with my dog every day and it make me feel more tiredness :/ Thank you guys to take time to read me. Any advice?

Hello

Anybody on fluid in the heart after 2 years of valve replacement? Thank you

hi I had my mechanical valve replacement 6 months ago I’m still tired all the time I’m out of breath I feel the same as I did b4 my op ive had echos appointments and xray they saying everythings fine I’m so disartend I’m so depressed about it ive got diabetes sleep apnea so using a machine my I n r keeps going up high then this week its 1.9 I go everyweek don’t no wat to do as I’m snappy thanx for reading just feel I needed to put my point across x

I had quadruple bypass surgery and heart valve replacement 7 months ago. The surgery went extremely well and I have very little pain except for occasional tenderness in the scar area. My energy levels have started to come up and I no longer get winded. One big thing that I did was change my diet to a vegan diet. Although, it took some getting used to I feel that it has helped the healing process and that it will keep me off the surgery table.

Sir
My mother is 73 and it is 3 month after avr
But after every 5-6 days she feel no energy
What to do

I tell you after reading all this about valve replacement I am not looking forward to the operation. I had lung cancer in March of this year and it zap all my energy. I use to be able to work in my garden but not this year. I have to wear a monitor because I started falling a lot and being in the garden was scary because there was no one to call if I fell. Now at least I can go out side with the dog to walk him but I have to be careful that he don’t knock me down. I can believe how I get out of breath just walking the dog. If I have the heart surgery will it really take months to recoup .

I’m exactly one year out from mitral valve replacement and am exhausted all the time. However, I do have Addison’s disease, on Cortisols 7.5 mg per day. I was on only 5 mg., but bumped it up to 7.5 several months ago because of neverending tiredness now one year since my mitral valve replacement. I feel pretty good sitting in a chair, but 80% of the time, when I stand up, it feels like I weight 300 lbs and is an effort to walk around. I force myself to do all the daily chores I must do to take care of my house, and I love my yard and garden, and push myself to mow, plant trees and plants, hand water to save water, and keep the leaves off my yard using an electric blower, etc., go get my mail down and across the street, etc…but it is rarely enjoyable because I’m so fatigued all the time. I usually sleep well, but occasionally can’t sleep all night long. My mind is wide awake while my body is exhausted. Can’t figure it out. Before my surgery I COULDN’T do anything…no stooping, bending, walking more than a few feet in the house. Now, I can do most everything I need to do, but am exhausted all the time, and only on occasion do I feel energetic and ready to go. I didn’t have anyone to help me after surgery, and am worried that I may have pushed myself too hard doing necessary things. I healed without noticeable problems, but energy and pep enough to enjoy what I’m doing is just not there. Is this in any way normal for some people, or could it possibly be medication oriented or related to my central and obstructive sleep apnea (on CPAP) or Addison’s disease? I also have hypothyroidism under excellent control per regular (and recent) lab work. I’m sure it’s difficult to sort out with all my illnesses, but the tiredness stays pretty steady. Any comments or suggestions? I would appreciate any help anyone could give. I’m just afraid this may be the norm from now on. I am VERY grateful to God and my surgeons and physicians for regaining the ability to do what I must do in my life, but I’m still hopeful one day some energy may return. I am 69 years old though. I do realize it may just be old age creeping up on me, but I would so love to feel somewhat normal again before my life is over….if that’s even possible. Can anyone help me?

Depression, fatigue after 2 avr surgeries

Oops , didnt finish my story. I had to have my first avr 5 years ago, after many complications I had my 2nd avr 2 years ago, a mechanical valve. Surgery was a success yet ive been weak and depressed since. Hardly get off of my couch and have gained alot of weight. Anyone else feel this way? Thank you