Three weeks ago I had my aortic valve replaced (with a tissue valve) and about 10cm's of my ascending aorta replaced. I'm 53 and went into this in excellent ...Read more
Three weeks ago I had my aortic valve replaced (with a tissue valve) and about 10cm's of my ascending aorta replaced. I'm 53 and went into this in excellent physical condition. I had no symptoms however my ascending aorta measured 5.2 cm's and my left ventricle was slightly enlarged, presumably as compensation for the aortic valve working overtime from regurgitation.
As of yesterday I'm off all pain meds, my sternum is causing almost no pain. I can walk for an hour on flat ground no problem and I have started stationary biking and lower body easy workouts. All things considered things are going remarkably well. That said, I have a few questions and wonder if anyone can share their experiences and/or insights
- Night Sweats - I've got them big time. Every night I'll wake up twice to change t-shirts and to get a dry towel to sleep on. From reading prior forums I have learned this is quite common and can last up to three months. What I've not been able to find out is why this happens. Does anyone have a answer?
- Prior to the surgery I had a very low resting heart-rate (around 50). Three weeks after surgery it is now around 70. I was on a beta blocker prior to surgery and I continue to be on the same beta blocker, same dosage. Since surgery I'm now also on an ace inhibitor. Will this higher resting heart rate be my 'new normal' or is the heart still recovering and recalibrating?
-Prior to surgery I never noticed my heart beating while resting. Now it beats so hard I have trouble napping - the heartbeat literally delivers a small but noticeable shake to my head. Has anyone experienced this before? Does it go away?
Thank you and best regards,
Phil
Pat Bluemel Night sweats - if you figure it out I'd like to know why too, though you should be just about at the ... Read more
Pat Bluemel Night sweats - if you figure it out I'd like to know why too, though you should be just about at the end of them. I think mine stopped around week 4. YES on the strong heart beats. They would move my upper body at times. These too settle down, I have theories it was just my body and psyche getting used to the Dacron tubing. When I asked my doctor he told me it was all normal. I think these stopped around month two. I seldom notice heavy beats now. Congrats on 3 weeks!
Daniel Spurgeon I felt the heartbeat while I was laying down, sort of a diagonal bump every time my heart beat. It ... Read more
Daniel Spurgeon I felt the heartbeat while I was laying down, sort of a diagonal bump every time my heart beat. It resolved after five or six weeks. My heart rate decreased on its own over seven weeks. I had the night sweats for a week and anxiety that would wake me at four a.m. for a month with no apparent trigger. My providers explained that the body was readjusting and healing, and with a few exceptions things have resolved on their own.
Steven A Husted i think things will work out in time time is a healer i know before surgery i had a hard time finding ... Read more
Steven A Husted i think things will work out in time time is a healer i know before surgery i had a hard time finding a heart beat or pulse and after surgery i had a i could feel my heart beat and pulse very well and after about 3 months it did not feel as note able or loud
Jeanette Davidson Thank you so much for your post. I am 53 as well and I am anticipating valve replacement in the next ... Read more
Jeanette Davidson Thank you so much for your post. I am 53 as well and I am anticipating valve replacement in the next few months.I have damage to my aorta from radiation treatment 18 years ago. I am asymptomatic. I will be having a tissue valve also. thank you so much for your post surgery feedback. I'm sorry to hear some of the symptoms that you're experiencing but overall it sounds like you're doing really great. Did you have symptoms prior to your surgery? The beta blocker really helps me too! Many blessings for continual recovery !💕
Ericka Carlson Hi Phil, try epsom salt baths a few times a week and see if that helps with the night sweats. I like ... Read more
Ericka Carlson Hi Phil, try epsom salt baths a few times a week and see if that helps with the night sweats. I like to take them right before bed, they help me sleep more soundly too. If that doesn't work for you, ask your doc if you can take a magnesium supplement, though I think the baths are better because of the relaxation factor.
I believe the strong beats are because they cut the sac around your heart, it's essentially no longer insulated so much louder.
I am from: Calgary, Canada
I believe the strong beats are because they cut the sac around your heart, it's essentially no longer insulated so much louder.