I have a bicuspid aortic value I have been aware of since birth and always been advised not to get tattoos or piercings. Im in the creative industry and it sucks not being able to express myself through these mediums as it would put me at risk.
I wanted to know if Henna is allowed. Its described on Google as a temporary body art resulting in staining the skin from dye. There is also a company Ive heard of called inkbox.com/ that offer customised realistic looking tattoos that last a few weeks which I thought might make a good option if they dont put me at risk of infection.
Anyone with any information on this, or that has got any advice on this themselves would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance,
Matt
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mattjohnbeale
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Hi, I had a bicuspid valve, had surgery to replace it earlier this year. I’ve got so many tattoos I’ve lost count of the number...I’m booked in for another on my chest next month to celebrate the successful surgery!
I’ve heard it recommended that if you want to be super cautious you could take a course of antibiotics prior to having a tattoo to prevent the very minimal chance of infection, but in truth my Consultant never seemed to think this was a big issue. Having any kind of dental work done is a bigger risk of infection affecting the heart than getting a tattoo.
It goes without saying that you should only ever get any work done by a reputable artist with the highest standards of hygiene.
Congratulations! Im happy that your surgery went smoothly!
Antibiotics sound like a good option, do you know if it is known instantly if there is a issue like infection or could the infection come years into already having the tattoo if that makes sense, is there a safe time zone when you know you wont have an infection after that
Its really shocking to me how many people on this website have said they have tattoos and its not an issue, every doctor Ive had has always told me not to get them
Hi Matt, firstly I should qualify anything I say by pointing out that I’m not a medical expert (unless you count the countless hours I’ve spent googleing and researching my condition !) but I would expect that any infection from a tattoo would first present at the site of the tattoo itself in the form of visually inflamed skin before becoming more widespread and systemic.....but really as Alison says below if you’re using a reputable studio and follow the quite basic after care instructions then infections are very rare indeed.
The thing with Doctors and tattoos is you have to understand they have no motivation whatsoever to tell you it’s ok to get a tattoo, they don’t see it as something you need to do, so why would they tell you it’s ok...even if the risk is incredibly small and can be managed.
I was maybe lucky in that I already had lots before I even found out about my bicuspid valve, so it would have been pretty pointless for any of my consultants to advise against getting them!
Ultimately it’s your choice, but one word of warning...it’s very addictive and once you’ve had one you’ll want another, and another, and another!!
Thats true I can see how our situations being different would get different responses from our doctors I never really thought about that.
Ill probably try and consult with a doctor prior to speak about the antibiotics and try understand more where the biggest risks would be in the process, its been somewhat brainwashed into me to never even consider this lol, its great to have all this new information though thank you a lot!
Hi Matt. I don't have a bicuspid valve, but I do have heart failure following a heart attack, with 2 stents and an ICD. I agree with Caz; basically all tattoos carry a small risk of infection, which for us hearties could become serious. But if you go to a reputable artist with excellent hygiene, and follow their advice for looking after it until it heals, then there shouldn't be a problem. I had my first tat before the HA, but am still debating what and where to have the second!
I would recommend you start with a fairly modest one, and don't go straight for a full sleeve or back
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