Valve knocking?

[Bb1878]

Hi All, hope everyone is doing OK. I had an aortic valve replacement 15 years ago and have been on warfarin ever since. Ive not had any real issues since however in 2020 I suffered a head injury (which I've posted about on headway forum). Since then I've been diagnosed with post concussion syndrome, a condition which has many overlapping symptoms one of which is fatigue and exercise intolerance. Altho not exactly relevant to this post I just thought I'd share some background info.About 18 months ago I started experiencing some discomfort in my chest when breathing in and out, feels like something is knocking against my breastbone. I've had chest xrays, ecg, echocardiogram and all is normal however Im still getting this. On my last visit to gp my doctor told me it was "probably just my artificial valve knocking on my breastbone" and it was nothing to worry about. I mentioned this had never happened in the first 13 years so why now? He couldn't answer, unsurprisingly. I'm not really happy with this. Does anybody else experience anything similar to this with there artificial valve?

[Cerinboo60]

Hi, I had my valve replacement in 2007 .A mechanical aortic valve and I too have been on warfarin since then. I have not experienced any knocking but have since developed AF which causes palpitation and breath shortness. Since my op I have always been able to hear my valve when in certain positions to sleep and in very quiet places i.e lifts etc. Sometimes whilst having palpitations i can feel my heart thudding very fast. Valve is ok and in place and i draw comfort from the fact if i can hear it, its working. Hope this helps.

[Bb1878 in reply to Cerinboo60]

Hi there, thanks for your reply. Yes I've always been able to hear mine clicking away aswell, found it a little off putting at first esp at night but it doesn't bother me now. I will look into that AF thanks, I don't think it's that but will get it checked out - I didn't realise that caused palpitations so worth checking out I hope ur managing OK with that? With this I can feel it mostly when I breathe in its like it when my chest expands it feels like it echos and I can feel something tapping on my chestbone, it's very odd and not something I had for first dozen years post op, so in that respect *something* has changed but thus far nothing has been found and my gp doesn't think its an issue! Trust the experts? I hope so! Cheers and best wishes, Bb.

[Cerinboo60 in reply to Bb1878]

Hi, I'm managing ok with AF thankyou . It may be worth seeing your cardiologist over the echoes and tapping. I have a scan every 2 years and on the alternate year a cardiology appointment unless i get any issues where I need to see him earlier. Hope you get it sorted . Take care.

[Bb1878 in reply to Cerinboo60]

Good advice, thanks. I don't have a cardiologist actually - I was discharged from the service 2 years ago! Ill get back onto my gp, cheers.