Pulse thumping post valve replacement

[Hwxguy]

Im 4 months post op from biological aortic valve/conduit replacement. I realize im early on, and fortunate, but can anyone share if they have experienced the bass drum pounding pulse, near continously, after tissue aortic valve replacement. Does it go away and if you had any success in minimizing it ? Thanks

[080311]

Hello Hwxguy

Welcome to the forum, is this bass drum in your ears? I could hear my heart beating after my surgery Aortic valve and bypass. When I asked about it thinking it was something to do with my new valve 😂 I was told it was a form of tinnitus. It lasted for quite some time and even now nearly 5 years on will get it occasionally. Sometimes it would sound like soldiers marching in hob nailed boots on cobblestones 😂 and it would be worse at night when the house was quiet.

Best wishes Pauline

[Hwxguy in reply to 080311]

yes i can "hear" the percussion in my ears or just below when its occuring. Its more like hearing a percussion as opposed to a sound, hard to describe. From upper sternum to inside neck. Never knew about a low frequency or percussive tinnitus. I have mild tinnitus and its always very high pitched when it comes and goes. Thump is most prominent upon inhalation, the deeper the inhale the more pronounced the thump. shallow breathes are my only weapon against it so far, or holding my breath, which i havent mastered yet..lol..either of those minimize or even stop it. Any inhale its right back again..trying to stay upbeat and hope time makes it go away but doubting

[road2ruin]

Hi,

I too had this for a few months and still occasionally get it now. I had a mechanical valve, but I don't think this has any bearing. For me it's largely about stress and also being more conscious of theses things now. I used to try to relax, close my eyes and think of nice things. I could feel the pounding disappearing. There are many self help book etc, maybe try one.

[Hwxguy]

Relaxation only works in the sense that it slows my breathing. very shallow breathes are my only weapon at this point to combat it. It lessens greatly or even goes away if i can keep my breathing shallow enough. Any average or deeper inhalation then creates it again. at no other time does it go away. Exerting myself physically distracts me from it but causes it to be the strongest obviously. very disconcerting. Id rather listen to a dripping faucet 24/7