DVLA and when can I drive.

[Jewel7]

Hi all, I wonder if any of you can help. My husband has had aortic valve replacement on 27/5 and we were wondering when he can or is allowed to drive and if any do DVLA need to know. It seems to be a bit of a grey area.

Thank you

[Nic25]

Hi Jewel7. When I had the op I looked into this and, assuming it's only a standard post-op recovery period and he has no other underlying or ongoing conditions that DVLA should be informed of or which could affect his driving (such as AF or fainting etc) you don't need to inform DVLA (but do double check the website as this was 18 months ago).

The general advice I was given was not to drive for 6-8 weeks, pretty much until you had had the check-up with the surgical team back at the hospital and been given the all-clear. It's mostly because of the sternum needing to heal and the pressure, say, turning the wheel or doing the hand brake could put on it. Having said that, when I went for cardiac rehab the nurse said you could drive again at four weeks (though as I was 6/7 weeks post-op already at that point it wasn't an issue), which I was slightly surprised by.

So it is largely common-sense but if it were me, I'd err on the side of caution - and I in fact I left it until eight weeks (and a new car battery!), but then I had local shops I could potter down to if need be. I definitely didn't want to risk the possible likely pain of what even a gentle shunt might cause on my sternum!

As I'm not much of a driver I actually quite enjoyed being told I couldn't and so having an excuse not to! But I appreciate that is probably unusual.

How's he doing by the way? I hope he's now firmly on the mend. I hope that helps and good luck as ever.

Yours

Nic x

[Jewel7 in reply to Nic25]

Thank you Nic. He doing really well now.. walking 40 minutes a day, he gradually coming off medication except his bisoprolol and on Asprin for 3 months. His scar is healing nicely and he’s got the surgeon check this week. He cannot believe how much better already he feel and so nice for him not to get out of breath.

Regards,

[AyrshireK]

gov.uk/valve-disease-and-dr...

[Pinkrobin]

Like nic I didn't get behind the wheel until after the 6 week check.

[catchee]

Hi Jewel, i have just gone through this myself. The DVLA website is very helpful as is their helpline. The website has stacks of info on medical conditions

[Stevo1979]

Hi Jewel, I had an AVR Dec 2018 and was allowed to drive after 6 weeks, although I must say it took a while for my confidence to return and just went to local shops and journeys for a while, the cardiac rehab really helped with my confidence and mental side of things and I would really recommend your husband to do it. I did ring the DVLA but they didnt need to know anything and my insurance company was the same.

Good Luck

[Hidden]

I drove 2 days later. No problems.

[Janma123]

My hubby was told to wait until after his post op check with the surgeon at 8 weeks. He was 69 at the time and at his check up was told to wait another couple of weeks to allow his wound to heal more.

[GreenMonday]

Hey there. My husband had the same op three years ago and from memory he was told to wait six weeks before driving again. As people have said I think one of the main reasons was waiting until chest healed due to the seat belt pressure.

Hope he is recovering well.

Kerry

[alheart]

Hi

Had my AVR in Oct 15

Was driving 6 wks after the Op as soon as my sternum felt settled

[swingyourpants]

As said a bit of common sense needs to be applied. The DVLA state its 6 weeks post Op but everyone heals differently. The DVLA or my Insurance Co didn't need to know about my AVR. A guy at work said to me imagine if you needed to do an emergency stop!

[Potter52]

Hi Jewel, I had my AVR and double bypass on the 3rd July. I was told by the Surgeon no driving for 6 weeks and that was good enough for me. There’s no way I’m going to risk undoing all the good work done by the marvellous staff who looked after me in Hospital.

[Jewel7 in reply to Potter52]

Hi thank you for your reply. How are you doing? My husband is 7 weeks post op now and doing really well. For the first three weeks at home he very tired and did feel like doing much but resting, as soo as he came off his strong pain relief he started to do so much better as I’m typing this he is out doing his 40 minute daily walk. It’s slow road but so worth it. He cannot believe how much better he can breath and walk without getting out of breath.

How are you getting on?

Regards

[Potter52 in reply to Jewel7]

Hi Jewel, I’m doing ok thanks. Feel a bit guilty being waited on hand and foot! I’m walking around the garden a few times a day and using my breathing spirometer hourly as I’m suffering a bit of pleural effusion. But all in all I’m doing well. Hope you are too. Alan

[080311 in reply to Potter52]

So pleased you are doing well, remember listen to your body rest when it tells you “ I am tired “ your stamina will come back but slowly does it.

Welcome to the mended heart road, onwards and upwards 😊

Best wishes Pauline

[Potter52 in reply to 080311]

Hi Pauline, So good to hear from you. I’m doing everything I was told. Feeling weak and tired but fine apart from that. Still suffering a bit of pleural effusion. Chest X-ray and standard blood test next week. How are you doing? Alan

[080311 in reply to Potter52]

Hi, Alan

I am fine doing ok,

I had a nebuliser twice a day when I was in hospital, to help me. Kept doing my breathing exercises hourly when I got home which I think helped. I think we sometimes forget that our lungs take a hit as well as our heart! Don’t think they like being collapsed so need to be helped along, to get back to normal.

Like you my thoughts has always been a lot of clever medical people put a lot of effort into fixing me, the least I can do is the very best to help myself 😊

Best wishes to you and yours Pauline

[Potter52]

Thanks again Pauline. Yes, I was on the nebuliser too in Hospital. Take care and stay safe. Alan

[Jewel7 in reply to Potter52]

Hi Alan,

As a lot said on here your heart has taken a real battering and your lungs. My hubby they put on some water tablets but he is off them now. I know that we are all different and healing is a process that cannot be rushed. Tell you nurse at home to make sure they take time out to rest also. You are now on the toad to recovery and lots to look forward to. My husband loves golf but obviously cannot play for sometime yet however, this Saturday just so he can see his golf pals he’s going to walk nine holes with them. Even the fact that he is feeling upto that is great.

Regards.