My husband is eight weeks post mitral valve repair and cycromaze. He takes Riveroxiban each day. Came off Bisopronol before op and now in cardio rehab. He frequently feels faint and his BP is 89 59 87 . Should he go back on Bisopronol,. We have conflicting advice His biggest symptom if fatigue. . This is my first posting.
What a great source of information this sit is. Thanks
Must be difficult for you both. So the medication he was on is for raised BP, hyPERtension, I think. So if he has low BP, hyPOtension it wouldn’t help - I think! I would suggest going to GP to discuss. So many drugs and symptoms - no straight answer in my experience.
Thanks Billiewizz for reply.
Mitral valve repair is heavy duty surgery. Your man is still in the take it easy, very gentle exercise phase. Tell him to relax and and confiscate his superman suit. His breastbone needs about ten weeks to knit together.
After an operation like this it can take months just to get over the anaesthetic.
Bisoprolol will lower bp, so if his bp is already low, bisoprolol definitely won’t improve the situation. I think there’s a couple of issues to consider here, the first being that any cardiac event can leave you exhausted for weeks even if the symptoms are resolved, and the same for surgery generally, so the fatigue may be entirely normal for what’s occurred. Equally though, low bp can leave you feeling excessively tired, and can definitely make you feel faint, particularly if it’s consistently low. I would very strongly advise you speak to his doctor in the first instance given the situation and that there’s cardiac history, but ‘home remedies’ for low bp include ensuring adequate/increasing fluid intake, and sometimes an increase in dietary salt - neither are always appropriate for cardiac conditions, so best to check first! Getting up from lying down gradually can improve things e.g. slowly into sitting, then feet off the side of the bed for a minute (or five). The same with moving to standing - slow and steady.
Thank you Charlie G for encouraging comments.
I'm 6 weeks post mitral and tricuspid repairs I am still very tired, I had the op done keyhole but I'm having trouble with the cuts in my groin which keep bleeding , my chest is still sore I was told this was because they have to slide under the muscles so it hurts more, I can't cope with going out on 2 consecutive days! I'm dizzy if I turn too fast and short of breath having done anything like housework. I was told by a nurse practitioner when I had a first checkup just over a week after discharge, that after 3 months I would be back to where I was before the op and 6 months to feel really well, unfortunately she discovered my BP was low and my pulse was all over the place, after an ECG I was told I was in AF, I was prescribed Bisoprolol 1.25 and after a week it seemed to have settled. I have also been put on Warfarin which is a real nuisance !! I don't think you should take any meds without consulting your GP or the cardiac ward. Take your time and rest in the afternoon if possible
Hi Glasgowgirl1947, I am going to be having the same op in a couple of months (mitral and tricuspid keyhole). Can I ask how long was your hospital stay and what pain meds did you take following surgery? Also, was the surgery a success ie no more regurgitation? I’ve heard recovery is faster following minimally invasive - with hindsight, would you choose this again as opposed to full sternotomy? Many thanks!
After my operation I had problems with my heart rhythm, I had a pacing wire and an external pacemaker so I guess my stay was longer than usual. I was in 9 days but as soon as my heart settled I was allowed home. I've had a bit of bother as on my first checkup I was told I was in AF and have finished up on Warfarin and Bisoprolol but it settled down in a week. I'm hoping that I will be off the Warfarin when I see the consultant. I'm finding that my chest is still painful but have been told that when they do it keyhole they have to slide under the muscle so it is actually more painful than a sternotomy! I am also having trouble with the wounds in my groin but some of that I think is the Warfarin making me bleed much more than I ever would. I had Gabapentin and was written up for Orimorph. I think you're given a choice. I also have a bit of nerve damage in the top of my legs due to the groin intrusion, I'm told it could take weeks/ months to clear. I couldn't lift my leg off the floor at first when the physio came to make me walk around the ward! They get you out of bed as soon as. The keyhole is supposed to make everything much quicker and it must work for most people or they wouldn't be doing it. I just had unforeseen problems right from the start. I think the regurgitation has gone although it seems to be taking me longer to get over it. I was told that in 3 months I would be back to where I was before my op and 6 months I should be feeling great. Roll on 6 months. My husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's last year although we believe he had it for quite a while before the diagnosis and I need to get fit to care for him as he's, unfortunately, deteriorating rapidly at the moment.
Thank you so much for your reply and I’m sorry to hear you’ve had complications which have slowed you down. I guess whichever way it’s done - it all depends on what happens post surgery! I hope you soon recover as it’s obviously important for you to get back on your feet with your husband needing your help. My daughter is having her first baby soon and I’m wondering how quickly I can get back on my feet! Out of curiosity, can I ask where you had your surgery?
I had it in Blackpool Cardiac Centre. Mr Zacharias was my surgeon. There doesn't seem to be many doing the keyhole surgery at the minute. I had to wait over 7 months and was offered the chance to change to open heart with another consultant but his secretary did emphasise the speedier recovery, I think I'm the exception to the rule really. I wish you well and I'm sure you'll be fine. God Bless x
Thank you so much - it’s great to hear from someone who has had keyhole. I wish you a speedy recovery from here on- also same good wishes to thelarkascending’s husband! Apologies for piggybacking off your post - I was pleased to be able to get in touch with another with minimally invasive experience. I am going to Liverpool (pencilled in for June). Like you, I will have waited 8 months for this hospital as it’s got a great reputation x
You are going to the right place. Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital is outstanding at every level. They all seem to work as a team, from domestic and catering staff to the highly skilled nurses, doctors and surgeons.
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