I know someone who is 54, and has found out the one of his heart vavles is too narrow. Dr has highly recommended (open heart surgery). He is very scared, also does not want to go with the operation. His operation date is soon, and we got some leaflets to prepare but I do not know how else I can make sure he can be prepared for his surgery? can you pls help, give advice, has anyone been through this? pls help, I want to give the best possible support.
the doctor has been very straightforward, with giving a date, but we feel unprepared
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sim21
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Hello and welcome to the forum! Your friend is lucky to have friends as good as you!
I had open heart surgery (OHS) for a quadruple bypass and know many who have had this type of surgery. However a friend's wife had oone valve replaced and two reoaired. Before she had to rest peeling a few potatoes and now he cannot keep up with her!
Remind him it is the day job of these surgeons and they will be giving him a second go at life. Specifically which valve are we talking about?
I am sure many here will give him advice but I will give a few starters.
i) Eat a healthy diet and try to achieve a healthy weight (but absolutely no crash diets). You will not be able to lift anything more than a half kettle of water or push yourself up with your arms. Practice getting up without using your arms to build core strength.
ii) Visit the dentist as any tooth decay or gum disease will result in postponement as disease can spread to the valves with potentially serious consequences.
Hi, I had open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve 2 years ago at the age of 49. I only had a week to worry about it as it was an emergency and had only just been diagnosed. I think that made it easier and at the end of it all my expectations were a lot worse than the real thing. Your friend will worry regardless and whilst it's major surgery my surgeon told me valve work is what they do day to day.A few items to get in advance, button up pyjamas and shirts for afterwards, can't lift arms above the head due to the wound, always have a rolled up towel to hand for coughing & sneezing to hold against chest, plenty of pillows to prop them up in bed as can't lie flat out for a bit. I had a webbing strap tied to the end of the bed so I could pull myself upright, can't push behind for a while and a highish comfy lounge chair, I had to borrow one as I had difficulty getting of my low sofa.
On recovery don't push too hard especially the first couple of weeks but make the effort to get out and walk and the progress is surprisingly quick although it may not seem that way at the time.
I was back running 5ks within about 10 months and although have some niggles still it's due to the way they go in through the chest no one would know now unless I told them.
Good luck to your friend and it is likely to be not nearly as bad as expected
I've got a mechanical, that's what I was advised at the time and had no time to research. Although the op wasn't as bad as expected I would rather not go through it again and the mechanical should last me. Warfarin is a bit of a nuisance but preferable I think.
I have had more skin issues, dry skin/eczema with it getting infected which I suspect has been worse because of the warfarin but can't be sure. I drink less than I used to, not that I drank a lot but the advise is no more than 2 units a day and you can't save them up!
I'm going to the JR in Oxford this week for aortic valve replacement. I'm 55 and can't believe it is happening. I have a bicuspid valve. Don't want to think about the reality of what is going to happen. Have had moments of absolute terror, especially at night. Worried about being fat. Have lost 30lbs but still fat. Finding it reassuring to read recovery stories...
Well done on losing 30lb. I don't know if you are following the BHF recommended Mediterranean diet. I do limiting carbs to 120 - 130gm per day. I am sure you will be fine. Make sure you do the recommended breathing exercises as these help healing.
Hi Flymetothebeach, just to say good luck! The whole thing is terrifying, so it is normal for your head to be all over the place. But do use this forum to ask questions and get reassurance - I found everyone here really helpful when I was in the same position as you back in 2018. If anything, however, for me at least the whole mental build-up was almost worse than the operation itself. It was of course a big operation, and I came home sore and tired (and with a big, though very neat scar down my chest) but it was also very straightforward and I'm now much fitter and active than I was pre-op, even if still an overly sedentary fiftysomething. But take care and look after yourself. Sure you'll be in good hands and on the road to recovery in no time at all. Cheers Nic x
Cheers NIC you have no idea how reassuring your message has been.
Hi sim21. I had two Replacement Valves (Aortic and Mitral) via OHS last September delayed from March owing to Covid! It is the best thing that happened to me and they have, literally, given me my Life back! 😊 I was quite ill before it, I have to say. Health wise and SO anxious. In fact, I was a wreck worrying about it! That is completely Normal. If you weren't anxious, you wouldn't be Human! At the Pre-Assessment, the Surgeon (along with Medical Students), they do ask your permission for that mind. Anyway, I decided to go for the Mechanical Valves on the advice of the Surgeon! Yes, I do have to take Warfarin for Life along with Aspirin until this September which is not too bad, once you get used to it amongst other Tablets) as a precaution because there are a lot of Heart problems in my Family. I did tell the Surgeon about this! It does take a Toll on your Family though, my two Sons were worse than me I think lol!! Anyway, what I am trying to say, he will definitely not be sorry. It's hard, but well worth it! Also, I have now been discharged from the Surgeon and just have to go back and see the Cardiologist at my Local Hospital for Check-Ups every 6 months and, obviously, my GP with any other concerns!! 😊😊
Thank you for sharing your journey, its very encouraging and comforting. Silly question, but what kind of questions should we ask the surgeon before treatment?
Hi again sim21. Honestly, I was SO nervous when I went to meet the Surgeon, I really can't remember it all. I was with him about an hour where I was taken to another Room as well to watch a Video of the Process. I remember him asking though 1) What my current State of Health was like at the time, which wasn't great at all by the way. 2) The Valves that were affected which he drew a Diagram of. 3) Which Valve Replacement did I prefer, his choice were the Mechanical - they last longer. 4) He explained to me that he wanted to perform a Coronary Artery Bypass (by this time I was terrified and couldn't take it all in lol). He did tell me the type I had, Rheumatic Heart Valve Disease, was pretty tricky and quite unusual. I did ask him what would happen if I didn't have it. His answer, you won't last much longer than 2 years or go into complete Heart Failure. He was lovely but didn't beat around the bush, so to speak!! That's all I can say, I am feeling better now than I have done for years. So, if I was your Friend, he is going to be terrified but I'm sure he will feel so glad after he has had it as well!. Good Luck with it all and please let us know. One other thing, why not try and pick up some of the BHF Booklets? I did at the Hospital and they are great. They have them in my Doctor's Surgery as well. Let us know the outcome!! 😊😊
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