Paula's Journal

Joseph Heinzmann  Paula, it's such a personal choice so I can only tell you what I did (at age 58). I chose mechanical because I didn't want a guaranteed second surgery. I made that choice because I am otherwise healthy and theoretically have a life expectancy greater than that of a tissue valve. Also, I didn't care about having to take anticoagulant medication for life, but many people care about that. The thought of a guaranteed surgery around age 70 was not attractive to me.

But again, this is a very personal choice and specific to your expectations.

Thomas Brusstar  I had a mitral repair in 2018, then age 54. My doc said 98% chance he could repair it, which he did (and it still isn’t leaking at all on the recent echo exam); but he recommended cow just in case. His thinking was that the thinners have a stroke risk that adds up, year after year. I think he said 3%, but after 15-20 years that’s significant. So just discuss that risk with your doc, He said he would do a cow, and if it ever needs replacing they’ll be able to do it without cutting by doing a trans-arterial placement.

Marie Myers  Valve choice was the hardest decision I ever made. Ultimately, I went with an aortic tissue valve at age 63. I went back and forth for weeks. Only time will tell if I made a good choice...

Richard Munson  I never made a choice. They just said repair, end of story. 10-15 years is a lifetime in the world of heart surgery. They may do things totally different then. A mechanical valve may be vastly improved. Cow valves may be ancient history. Another barnyard animal perhaps.

Brody Sheffer  Hi Paula. I currently take warfarin for afib and I have an upcoming mitral valve replacement at the end of the month. I have not noticed any significant lifestyle changes so far. I do what I have always done but in a diminished capacity due to the heart not working so good. Keeping a consistent diet is the most important thing that I have found. I get cuts here and there but have not noticed any meaningful difference with treating them. It is a personal choice and whichever one you make will be the right one.

Paula Barbee  Thank you everyone! I am 57, and 99% chance of a repair, but you still have to make that choice before going under. I originally thought mechanical to avoid future surgeries, but then when they told me all the lifestyle changes etc. and the fact I have a very physical job(flight attendant) it has made this decision hard. Both the surgeon and my cardiologist recommend the mechanical valve so I wouldn’t have another surgery. One mentioned scar tissue and how that could affect the outcome of a second surgery plus age. However, I’m kind of thinking 7-10 years of normalcy and less meds might be worth it and just roll the dice for the second surgery.?.?.? This has me so stressed

Paula Barbee  A friend also mentioned that an advancement could be made
In 7-10 years…that I had not thought about….I healthy, eat healthy, get bumped around on the planes a lot, gone 3/5 days a week, and like to have a drink every once in a while lol. They said I couldn’t really do that on warfarin. Certainly couldn’t enjoy myself at a resort without consequences lol. 🤷‍♀️ That’s not my main concern but it is something to consider. I do a lot of green tea, spirulina, spinach, salad greens, etc and it sounds like a big balancing act..

Rita Savelis  I'm sorry to hear that you have to go through heart surgery. It's all stressful. But it is quite probable that your mitral valve will be repaired and your choice won't come into play. I would trust your surgeon. I have 2 mechanical valves and nothing has changed in my lifestyle. I eat everything in moderation and I travel and I dance flamenco. I have a blood test once a month to make sure my INR is in a good range and to see if I have to change my anticoagulant dose. At the beginning, I had to take a blood test more often and was very nervous and stressed about all of it. Then, like anything, it became my new normal. I was 53 when I had my valves replaced. My heart and lungs are messed up with lots of scar tissue and stenosis due to childhood radiation for cancer treatment, so it was not advisable to have more surgery if there is any way to avoid it.