Anyone do sport after mechanical valve replacement?

[LauraUK]

Hello, I am due a double valve replacement and have been advised to go for mechanical valves to avoid future operations (47 years) I am an active tennis player and was wondering how people who have had valve replacements manage back into sports? I am aware of the warfarin issues, more the fitness levels etc? Thanks Laura

[IanGordon]

Laura hi.

I was playing tennis 2 days prior to my aortic valve replacement, albeit doubles, and getting my breath back to relieve my stable angina symptoms between rallies.

Fast forward 15 weeks and my tennis is almost back to normal with much improved mobility and stamina. Didn't hit a ball for 10 weeks but resumed playing at 12 weeks on the advice of my cardiologist - the sternum needs to fully fuse.

Some muscular discomfort so still healing. I'm also cycling and walking with none of the old symptoms or dificulties, still improving, week by week. I'm 65, opted for a bioprosthetic valve (bovine), went in as fit as I could be and avoided any of the surgical and post-operative pitfalls, so I guess I was lucky.

As a generalisation, surgery will knock you back, but you will, in all probability, eventually return to a better level of fitness and quality of life, but you will have to work for this during post op rehab which starts on day one.

Good luck with your surgery and restored life expectancy.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

If you are playing to a high level where you get slips and falls then I would think it would have to be tissue to avoid excessive bruising because of the warfarin.