Harris's Guestbook

Harris Chrysanthou  Hello Elizabeth, I was born with it but diagnosed at the age of 8. I had/have a really normal life full of sports and activities (competitive Karate, football and heavy weightlifting). It depends ofcourse on the status of your sons situation.

Elizabeth Jarrett  thank you so much for responding. The cardiologist said the same thing and we should have no reason to worry as long as we are getting it monitored. i'm so glad to hear your success!

Harris Chrysanthou  Yes, monitoring is key. I have my valve replacement about 3 months ago (my decision, no symptoms) I am almost 100% now

Harris Chrysanthou  Hey Alex, I did not experience such bone "cracks". I certainly limited my hand and shoulder movements for about 2 months post operation. I would suggest you to call you surgeon or doctor and inform them of the situation.

Alex Sigalov  Hi Harris, thank you for your response. Yeah i am going in next week to see both cardiologist and the surgion for my 6 weeks post-op i will mention then i think if it doesn't heal i properly i might have to get plates, but its to early to tell yet, couple of of other people on forum said they had that and it took 2-3 months to heal, and someone was at 5 months with that issue.

Harris Chrysanthou  I would suggest not to make large circular moves with your arms or shoulders until at least 10 months after surgery.

Harris Chrysanthou  That is exactly what I got. I went for the On-x valve and a portion of the aorta was replaced. I had my operation 6 weeks ago and I still have difficulty hearing the clicking sound all the time and "feeling" my heart beat all the time. Did you experience the same thing?

Marie Myers  Even though I got a tissue valve, I still felt my heartbeat much more strongly ever since surgery. I think it is due to the more efficient ejection of blood, and due to the loss of insulation properties of the pericardium. I understand that most of the time the pericardium is left open to heal on it’s own, and so we lose a little of it’s “muffling” properties. I mostly notice the strong heart beat if I take a deep breath. Small shallow breaths don’t give me the same strong feeling. Hope that helps.

Harris Chrysanthou  Thanks for all the useful information Marie! How long has it been since your OHS? I am sure that as time passes we "forget" the heartbeat and clicking sound.

Marie Myers  My surgery was March 2017. I feel like it was a long time ago, almost another lifetime.
I have returned to my “normal” life, with the exception of a newfound appreciation for just how quickly life can change. It is truly a miracle what the cardiac surgeons can do!

Mike Roskowinski  Marie I agree with you about the feeling of the heart now. I can usually feel it more on deep breathes and especially during my workouts. Everything I have found is that it is due to the loss of insulation. I have also been told that my heart is also getting used to the valve and the new better workings of it.

Daniel Green  Hey - Just picking up this thread. Hope you're all well. I'm 48 and in need of a valve in the next 6 months. No noticeable symptoms. I'm unsure if I go with a mechanical or tissue valve. Stanford Medical recommends mechanical. Is the sound a minor annoyance or just something you get used to? You feel it? Also, I work out a lot so wondering if you've heard any studies or spoken to doctors about which valve is best for runners/bikers/swimmers?

Harris Chrysanthou  Hi Daniel, I am currently in the 7th week post surgery. I had an aortic valve replacement (on x mechanical valve) and an aorta aneurysm replacement. I have been monitoring this condition since I was 8 and I was very active in sports especially heavy weight lifting and running. I chose to have the surgery earlier (no symptoms at all). The sound is really annoying in the first 4-5 weeks but after that you just get used to it. Most of the people around me can't hear it even if they come really close to me. I have seen many runners and gym junkies online that had an aortic valve replacement (Mechanical) and are performing normally. As I said, im at week 7 and I am walking atleast 5km per day. I would also suggest a mechanical valve