Shooting pain from heart area

[Duffy14]

Following recent open heart surgery for mitral heart repair, I am experiencing slight shooting pain (only way I can describe it). Has anyone had this and do you know why?

[Chriscwmpen]

Hi Duffy14

I too have recently had mitral valve repair (around 7 months ago in my case). I'm not sure how long ago your surgery was, but in the first month or so after mine I experienced similar shooting pains.

I was told it was likely to be nerve damage from the surgical site or 'musculo-skeletal' which I think is a general term for pain that is not to do with the condition treated, but the knock on consequences of the surgery on the muscle, bone, etc. that has to be cut through to get there.

It all gradually died down in my case, but I still get the odd twinge here and there.

I can definitely relate to your concern, as it is impossible to distinguish if the pain is coming from bone, muscle, nerve or heart when you're feeling it!

This is just my own personal experience - I'm no medical expert, so if in doubt do get a professional opinion.

[Gav_UK]

Hi Duffy14,

I second what Chriscwmpen said. I had my mitral valve repaired through open heart surgery and had exactly the same thing in the first few weeks following surgery. Shooting pains originating from my chest but which sometimes shot right up my neck to my head. My doctors and nurses reassured me that this was because when they open you up, they have to move and sometimes cut through nerve tissue and muscle tissue. Nothing to worry about and it subsides fairly quickly

[Jammydodger1993 in reply to Gav_UK]

Following on from the pains , I had to return to hospital plans still there although not severe tuns out I had pericarditis and had to have 1.4 litre of fluid drained from the sac surrounding my heart apparently this is a common occurance after heart surgery , this in turn had my heart racing above 180 when moving just to the toilet in hospital , spent another 11 days there until trial and error with meds bringing heart rate to a more stable condition to let me home , been home 2 days and feel the benefit all ready hope this helps anyone in the same position

[Gav_UK in reply to Jammydodger1993]

Glad you managed to get it all sorted Jammydodger1993 ! It must have been scary and frustrating to have to fo back to hospital after surgery but good that you’re home now!