Worried

[Gnasher2]

Hi I am 52 years old had a heart attack 5years ago and had 2 stents fitted about 6 months ago had a breathing attack and could not breeth .....had echo and turns out I have a knackered mytrial valve which is almost closed....facing replacement ......don't know wether to go with mechanical or pig valve......2 questions for anyone who has went through this .....how did you feel about going through it and how easy is it to manage the clot medicine ......any information would be greatly appreciated......cheers

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Friend's wife had a mitral valve replacement and two other valves replaced aged 70 (op was virtually on her birthday). She was pretty well recovered after six months and back to her old self. If you have a tissue valve it will probably need replacing in your sixties (earlier if you don't follow the advice given). With home monitoring managing warfarin dose has become much easier and a mechanical valve should last decades.