Jay Youn Rita, are you able to work hearing the valve tick?
Rita Savelis Hi Jay. I had 2 valves replaced 7 years ago with mechanical valves. I remember that at first I would ... Read more
Rita Savelis Hi Jay. I had 2 valves replaced 7 years ago with mechanical valves. I remember that at first I would sometimes be aware of my heart beating or my valves ticking. If the room was very very quiet - perhaps if I was reading on the couch. I felt very vulnerable after surgery and sometimes put a pillow on my chest as a barrier between me and the world. It also muffled any sound. Honestly it was rare that I was aware of the sound. Now, many years later it doesn't bother me at all. I rarely hear it. This heart surgery experience is different for each patient. Each patient is anxious about something. It's hard. It's the unknown. But I can honestly say that the sound of my heart was the least of my worries. Getting over surgery was a long hard tiring process. I was exhausted for so long. Other patients bounce back right away. But the sound of my heart or valves has never been something that bothered me. Take care.