Mechanical Valve - Ticking Noise

[MontyReynolds]

I'm new here and I have been recommended to have open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve with a mechanical valve. One of my concerns is the "ticking" or "thumping" noise. I was wondering if anyone has had the mechanical valve replacement surgery and have they experienced the noise? If so, how loud is the ticking or thumping noise and does it affect your quality of life? Thank you.

[Shar28]

Hello and welcome to the forum. My husband had a mechanical valve just over 3 years ago. At first, we could hear the valve but as everything healed and his muscle mass came back it diminished. After about 6 months I could only hear it when I put my ear to his chest. My husband can only hear it when he puts ear plugs in or if he’s facing a hard surface and is very close to it.

There are loads of other people on here who have asked the same question and lots of responses and I’m sure there’ll be others along with their answers soon too.

All the best to you and your loved ones.

[MontyReynolds in reply to Shar28]

A decision to choose a mechanical or tissue valve is so difficult make. Thank you for sharing your comment.

[Cliff_G]

Not bothered by mine, Monty. Hasn't got any quieter over 3.5 years, but doesn't affect my QOL. Even maintenance of my Warfarin levels gets easier over time. Once Covid is over and I can talk to my surgery properly I will look at self-testing - they don't currently have anyone on it, so it will take a bit of effort to get it in place.

Did they say why you need it? I presume as they are recommending mechanical you are fairly young.

[MontyReynolds in reply to Cliff_G]

Hi Cliff, thank you for the response. I'm on the border line age - 58 to choose a mechanical valve or tissue valve and have no other major problems, that's why I have been recommended the mechanical valve as the surgeon said it will last much longer than the 10-15 life of a tissue valve.

[Hidden]

Hi MontyReynolds. I had two Mechanical Valves last September (Aortic and Mitral). I have to say it is the best thing I have ever done. Feel so much better now. Mine went from Mild to Moderate and then Severe. Yes, I hear them ticking sometimes but you soon get used to it. Doesn't bother me at all now! You will, most probably, have to take Warfarin for Life but you just get used to that as well!! I wish you the best of luck as to what you decide. Also, trust your Surgeon/Consultant and what they suggest and whatever they feel would suit you the most! 😃

[MontyReynolds in reply to Hidden]

Hi Snowflake20, thank you for your response and best wishes. It sounds like you had a successful operation. Good to know.

[Hidden in reply to MontyReynolds]

Thank you so much and yes I did. Couple of 'Hiccups' along the way but that is to be expected! Have to be honest here in saying they did offer me the Surgery before, when it was at the Moderate Stage, but I refused because at the time I was caring for my Sister! That's ALL I can say you will not be sorry. Take Care 🙂

[Fredders]

I've had a mechanical valve for a few years now and I rarely hear any clicking. Not sure if it's just as everything has settled down it's got quieter or I've just got used to it, but my husband can't hear anything and never has.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Fredders]

Friend spent £2000 on hearing aids. Decided as he has sufficient hearing for face-to-face conversation he prefers not to hear the background!

[MontyReynolds in reply to Fredders]

Thank you for the reply and information.

[MontyReynolds in reply to Fredders]

Hi Fredders, thank you for the comment.

[alheart]

HiHad an AVR and pre-emptive double by-pass in 2015

Have an ONX tatanium valve

Yes, I am aware of it at times

In the beginning as the heart tissue recovered, it could be heard by someone right next to me gentle ticking if everything was silent!

Now it is like a normal heart beat

I am aware of it and can hear it but don't even ask if anyone else can!

For me it was the fact that this will be with me for the rest of my life

Where a bovine valve would need replaced and that would mean trying to cope replacing without disturbing the scar tissue from the original op. Such replacement carries a risk that the scar tissue prevents a successful replacement

Was happy to have the metallic mechanical one

The quality of life and the fact I am living negates any cosmetic fears!!

Good luck in your quest for a better quality of life

[MontyReynolds in reply to alheart]

Hi alheart, thank you for the comment. It sounds like you had a bit more done than what I have to do, so happy to hear you are living a good quality of life after your surgery.

[alheart in reply to MontyReynolds]

Have a great quality of lifeThe NHS has been great!

In Scotland we get 12 weeks physiotherapy - 6 wks after surgery, would recommend if offered!

Also daily exercise of the "lamp

post" circuit helped greatly!

Lamoost and back to house day1/2, next time 2nd Lampost and back etc.

Only downside was I had to do this in a windy October!

Great if wind was at my back but facing it really took my breath away literally!

Things they didn't tell me

Loss of taste and appetite for about 4 weeks, wound changing and use of honey to keep wound clean.

Apart from that I have the heart of a 25yr old (now 62)

Take care

[andy110519]

Hi, had mine done 2 years ago and although it took a while I barely notice it now. It sometimes seems louder at night and if I've been exercising I can take my pulse without feeling for it, lol, although even that's getting harder now.Andy

[peterosgood in reply to andy110519]

I've just turned 56 and had my aortic valve replaced in December. Yes I can hear it ticking but as others have said you do get used to it and find ways to cope. It did affect me in the beginning but now it's just part of me and I don't notice it as much. It hasn't affected my quality of life and in sleeping really well. My wife says she can hear a faint murmer sometimes but earlier in my recovery she could hear itntick when she was near me. You will be on warfarin for the rest of your life but that's a small price to pay and just becomes a part of your every day life. Good luck with the operation, the recovery is hard by I'm now six months in, playing golf and doing everything I used to do and am returning to my job as a landscape gardener.

[MontyReynolds in reply to peterosgood]

Hi Peterosgood, thank you for your comment. Sounds like my upcoming surgery is similar to yours, so your experience is very much appreciated.

[MontyReynolds in reply to andy110519]

Hi Andy, thanks for letting me your experience with the mechanical valve. A good side effect on the taking the pulse hehehe.

[Hermanm]

I had one fitted 6 years ago , (where did that go!,?)And as everyone else has said , the noise is minimal.

I dont think anyone but my partner has ever heard it.

I had the , "On-x" valve fitted ,

made of carbon , not steel, maybe that makes a difference ,

Anyway I'd recommend the mechanical option.

You dont want that operation more than once!

However the other option is very quiet.

[MontyReynolds in reply to Hermanm]

Hi Hermanm, did you get to choose the mechanical valve? I'm going through NHS and haven't yet been given any option. Thanks.

[Teal61]

Hi. Welcome. I had a mechanical valve fitted in November and it really doesn't affect my quality of life. I don't really hear it unless it is very quiet or when I'm in bed sometimes. More reassuring than annoying. Only my grandchildren have heard it when they have heads on my chest, they think I'm like the crocodile in Peter Pan!fame at Last! X

[MontyReynolds]

Hi Teal61. Good to know what is sounds like. 😀. thanks

[Gdav]

Hi Monty, I am 54, had mechanical AVR, reconstruction and single bypass in January this year. The ticking is a pain and a blessing. For me personally the ticking is still quite loud, I am always aware of it but at points of time in the past 5 months it has given me faith that it is working, especially at 3am when you worry about it all.

I am back in work now, full time, 45 hours a week, I am gardening , doing the shopping and back around my daughters decorating her house. All the normal things I used to do.

The one thing I would say I wish I had done was investigate the types of mechanical valve available to have. I was given no choice in any part of the while experience at all, I am unsure if this was due to going in during covid or just poor medical practices.

I understand that this On-X titanium valve is supposed to be the ferrari of the valve World and I would have chosen that instead of the old style one I have but this the story of my life so far.

All the best and please keep in touch if you need any advice, this group is fantastic with personal experience and excellent knowledge.

Gary

[MontyReynolds in reply to Gdav]

Hi Gary, thank you for the information. I haven't been given any choices yet either. But will see what the surgeon says when I suggest the valve that you mentioned.

[HenningLob]

Hi MontyReynoldsMy husband had mechanical valve fitted through open heart surgery in 2019 at the age of 56. He was in very good health but had an enlarged aorta which needed to be operated on. They had told him that he might in addition need a new valve and this would be decided at time of op. We were briefly told that if he needed new valve he would be given mechanical valve as he was too young for tissue valve and needed mechanical valve as these last much longer. Brief mention was made that he might notice ticking sensation if he were to need a mechanical valve. My husband recovered well from op but unfortunately over two years on still struggles with the after effects of the mechanical valve. He is not so much troubled by a ticking noise but more by what he describes as an invasive pounding and by the thudding sensation of the valve in his body. I must emphasise from research done it seems to be rare to be troubled in the way my husband is. He has had CBT to try to help him and had many checks to confirm that he is in good health. Looking back I think even if we had been given a lot of information before the op, he wound probably still have chosen a mechanical valve because of its longevity and the risk of needing another open heart surgery op if choosing tissue valve. Unfortunately if being honest I do have to tell you that his quality of life has been effected by the valve. He is aware of it nearly all the time still and finds the sensation disturbing and what comes with this is a belief that things are not working as they should. Please be reassured that I do believe this is rare. I would recommend to get as much information as you can on the valve you will receive before your op and see if you have any say in which valve you may receive so that you feel you have made an informed choice. The recovery process does take a few months as you have to regain strength and adjust to Warfarin. It took nearly two years before my husband’s INR levels settled so he had to regularly go to Dr to get his blood checked but that is an easy thing to do. I am sorry to give such a lengthy reply and to not be more upbeat but as I said earlier it seems like the vast majorly of people are not troubled by their mechanical valve. For info I can hear my husband’s valve thudding loudly from within approx 10 cm from it.

I wish you all the best with your op and hope you have a speedy recovery.

[Gdav in reply to HenningLob]

Hi henninglob,

I had read your post about your husband on a tag attached to this post and wanted to ask how your husband was doing 2 years later but thought it too late to reply.

I thought the thumping sensation from the valve, which occurs on ocassion for me, was down to my having waxy ears. It appears that once my wife has cleaned my ears it isn't as bad.

What no surgeon tells you at any point (in my case anyway) is the psychological effects having the surgery and post surgery has on a person. I too had no symptoms whatsoever prior to surgery, I went to my GP with some odd palpitations that happened once in a while and ended being told my Aorta was about to burst and I had a defective valve.

Now I am on wafarin for life, although this is relatively steady, i am on 3 week INR visits, and my heart sometimes sounds (this is where the ticking is horrendous) like an engine with some of the spark plugs missing.

I wonder how many of us have been asymptomatic, because I read lots of posts from people who express how better they feel, but I can truthfully say that i feel worse than I did.

I understand that for me it is still early in the greater scheme of post surgery but it is hard and I really sympathise with your husband and hope he can find peace and come to terms with his existing condition.

All the best,

Gary

[MontyReynolds in reply to Gdav]

Thanks Gary, if only if there was a tissue valve that lasted for a long time, decision could be made easier. Regards, Monty.

[080311 in reply to MontyReynolds]

Afternoon

If you want a tissue valve have a look at the new Inspiris Resilia there isn’t a lot of data yet as to length maybe 20 years plus. Some forum members have had the replacement valve maybe if you put a post up someone will be along to help.

Pauline

[MontyReynolds in reply to 080311]

Thank you Pauline for the information. I would be interested.

[HenningLob in reply to Gdav]

Hi GaryThank you so much for taking the time to reply. We will certainly investigate wax in ears. Anything that might make an improvement is definitely worth giving a try! I am so sorry to hear that you were asymptomatic and then feel worse after surgery. That is a very hard thing to have to deal with. I think one has to try to remember that asymptomatic or not the surgery was necessary and that without it you would be at risk. On a positive note my husband is physically fit and well and I do believe that the pounding that he experiences is not life threatning but a great nuisance to have to come to terms with. It is worse on some days and when he has better days that does very much help him through as it helps him believe that things may improve. I note your comments regarding the psychological implications of surgery on a person. I agree that this was not something that was ever touched upon and yet having heart surgery is a huge invasive procedure and I know that my husband had times ( and still does have these times) thinking that he was supposed to feel pleased and fortunate that he was fine and all had gone well but on the other hand he now has to live with a constant thudding sensation caused by the new mechanical valve. I do hope that your condition improves and that you find ways to come to terms with all that has happened to you.

[MontyReynolds in reply to HenningLob]

Hi HenningLob, may I ask you how old was your husband when he had the valve replacement surgery and how long has he had his surgery now? Is his GP or surgeon recommending anything to help mimimise or sort out the pounding sound? I have heard from others that it will eventually go away and one will not notice it in the future. 🤞

[HenningLob in reply to MontyReynolds]

Hi MontyMy husband was 57 when he had his valve replacement surgery - he turned 58 whilst in hospital! So it is now two years and two and a half months since his surgery. My husband was being reviewed anyway by GUCH - Grown Up Congenital Heart Disease team and his cardiologist there referred my husband for CBT (Cognital Behavioural Therapy) which my husband attended. There were three sessions and lots of good ideas but unfortunately not enough to help my husband overcome the disturbance to him of the pounding sensation. It does seem that my husband is very much in the minority with suffering still after two years from the pounding of his valve and the vast majority do not have a problem with it. I have read that some people even find that being aware of their mechanical valve is a comfort to them as it is proof to them that all is working and in order. My husband has days that are worse than other days and tries to work out if there are any triggers or reasons why he senses the pounding more severely on some days than on others. Once again I am sorry that I provide negative information but I would like to reiterate that my husband does seem to be very much in the minority with being so troubled by his valve. I hope you can think positively and assume that in your case you will not be troubled by a new mechanical valve and will be like the vast majority who cope with it fine.

[MontyReynolds in reply to HenningLob]

Thanks again for the information. It's definitely a tough decision to decide whether to go with a mechanical or tissue valve. Regards, Monty

[MiniMeOz]

Hi Monty,

You’re not alone by a long shot. It took me a long time to decide what to do. It’s been nearly 2 years since my op on my mitral value prolapse and now turning 58, I’m feel quite settled with it and forget that I even have the mechanical value ticking away in me. The only constant reminder is taking Warfarin everyday but that is no biggie, the INR levels will always go up and down but so longs you are within range that’s the main thing. As far as the noise part, in the beginning I did here the ticking noise, but it has settled down and my husband only hears it when it’s very quiet and no background noise, it hasn’t caused us any problems. The only time I have someone comment is usually medical people and that because they are in turned to these things.

There’s a lot of support out there I hope you work out what is best for you.

I posted my story a year ago on this site as I wanted to reach out to help others, called “My Mitral Valve Prolapse – Replacements Valve”, it’s a bit of a read and though yours is a different valve it might be of some help.

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post....

Wishing you all the best MimiMeOz

[MontyReynolds]

Hi MiniMeOz, thank you for your comments. I'm glad everything is working out for you. It's definitely the most difficult decision I have to make, so your information is valuable. Cheers, Monty.

[Cyprus12]

My valve ticks and I got used to it very quickly. I test my own INR and control my warfarin, which is a godsend. I had to buy my own machine but NHS provide my slides. It doesn't bother me and worry if I can't hear it !!!

[MontyReynolds]

Hi Cyprus, thanks for you feedback. Monty.

[Balcus]

hi , I have just had an aortic root Aneurysm and had a heart valve (mechanical) replacement done with open heart surgery (6month ago) You get used to your valve, at first feels and sounds daunting but through time it gets more easy to cope with . Mines is like a clock (watch) ticking louder the more I exert the more you can hear it but it become Easier to cope with as time goes on .

Hope this helps

All the best

[TikaMika]

Hi Monty, I had aortic stenosis and had my mechanical valve replacement surgery in 2017. It was the recommended option instead of a pig valve as wouldn't need open heart surgery again. It's a 6 month journey to recovery and took me awhile to accept the click clock noise that I hear every night, especially lying on my left side. Also warfarin is compulsory daily for life as well monthly INR blood tests to determine blood thinning ratio. I've learned to accept it and adjust with knowledge that it kept me alive and to appreciate I can live longer. Quality of life improves activity wise too. But read once limited for professional athletes. Hope this helps.

[TikaMika in reply to TikaMika]

FYI: I was 48 years old at time of surgery.

[MontyReynolds in reply to TikaMika]

Hi Tika, Thank you for the information. You are very young and I'm happy you had the surgery. I have now had the surgery as well. But I decided to go with the tissue valve. Like you, it took me a few months to recover. I'm back to running - very slow and going to the gym to work out with light weights. I take 75mg aspirin every day (which is not a bother at all). Monty.