Mark's Posts

In December 2014, I have had my second heart surgery, and for both surgeries, I noticed what you have described to be more prominent right after the surgery. My heart has stabilized and my heart beat is not as prominent now that I am 9 weeks post surgery. However if I lay on a hard pillow, I can feel my heart beating very strong through my back. I am not concerned because as with you, my blood pressure is normal, and I don't experience any issues. I would be more concerned about your worry rather than the physical aspect of the prominent heart beat, especially if your surgeon and the team are not! It does take some time to get used to your new valve though...I can attest to that :o)

I have felt the same Mark. And like you, Drs don't seem concerned about it. Sometimes I wonder if it's my position, or that I'm just more "aware". As Lilly describes I also notice it pounding through to my back also. I'm chalking it up to the new powerful valve...I'm just not used to it working and pumping so well! ;)

I think Tammi's reply is how I understand it--it's new and taking time for heart to get used to new efficiency. For me, I had a mitral valve that was severely regurgitating, prior to surgery 1/30, my heart was like a car revving at high RPMs and overcompensating/overworking to squeeze blood through the muscle and I felt the pounding. I feel the pounding less post-op, but have a very higher than normal HR with heart getting used to its new efficiency.

Hey Mark, mine did this a couple days and times over the weekend after my surgery last Thursday. My providers were not concerned. Chalked them up to PACs. Then I learned my ticker was still pissed off when it treated me to some pretty gnarly Afib starting Sunday. Got that under control but I still have those episodes you describe as 'wait..what did I do now why is my heart beating like that'?' Then it goes away about the time i get the BP cuff set up.

Mark - Are you taking pain meds? It's generally needed regularly for at least the first few weeks. Other than that, it might also help to use the spirometer they sent you home with to make sure your lungs are well expanded. I'm a month post op now, and although I slept well at first, I have had some nights lately when I just can't quite get to sleep despite feeling comfortable and not notably anxious. Even so, I suspect all of us have lots of emotion to work through, so just maybe that can make up wake up at times too. B

Mark your post caught my attention. I forgot all about this but while I was in the hospital I had the same thing happen when trying to fall asleep, you call it skipping a breath, I felt like I was gagging for air, or choking, It was the narcotics, at least that was my initial guess and I was right. I pulled myself off of those meds two days before I checked out of the hospital and experimented with Tylenol and it went away almost immediately for me by the time I got home it was gone. I remember telling everyone what was happening (nurse and my parents) and I felt like everyone was looking at me like I had two heads. So maybe it is the drugs for you as well?

P.S. I also remember now I thought I had sleep apnea! Which I do not. I bet it will stop soon for you. I remember being sooo tired and it kept happening - I began to hate falling asleep. If you are on the narcotics, pull yourself off and see if it goes away.

Christine, too soon to pull from pain meds, although I'm on one that is is a different class than narcotics (Ultram, used in replacement for osycodone, and other stronger ones, due to the fact that I am very sensitive to nausea.) I may try to ween myself off earlier to see if that helps. Thanks!

My first week home I only slept in 3-5 hour increments. I could not sleep flat or about 4 weeks. A year later sometimes I still have problems laying flat. Make sure your head and neck are supported while you are resting/sleeping. Those weird U-shaped travel pillows do a great job. Also make sure you have some support under you shoulders/elbows. I hope this helps!

Mark. I couldn't sleep flat for a week at home because I felt smothered...couldn't breathe. Tried extra lasix for excess fluid. Still had to prop on pillows...about 6 of different thickness /////. Now I'm sleeping flat with one pillow and one to hug when I'm on my side. I was off narcotics 2 days before leaving hospital...I couldn't handle them. Good to hear you're home.