I spent yesterday afternoon researching valve replacements but I couldn’t get past the shock that although the mechanical valve has progressed a lot and can last a lifetime the life expectancy of the Patient may only be 10 to 15 years !
Please tell me I have got this wrong . My son is only 34 . I hoped having this valve replaced he could go on a live a long heathy happy life
Morning,
Have you been using Dr Google? If you have please don’t. I know how frightening it is and especially as your not worrying about yourself but your son. It seems so much more difficult. All we want is for our children to be safe and well.
There are no guarantees how long our replacement valve will last. I have a tissue valve and it was replaced 5 years ago, told it should last 7-15 years. I am so much older than your son and went with what my surgeon recommended. We have a member who had a tissue valve that as lasted 19 years and counting.
Yes the mechanical valve is said to last a life time, but again it’s not guaranteed. Your son will have is heart mended and will have a wonderful life ahead of him.
If you start worrying about what happens 20+ down the road you miss all the good things now. I believe you see his surgeon tomorrow ask him/her these questions.
Just think he will soon be on the mended heart road and living the life he should be having.
Very best wishes Pauline
Where did you do your research? Your first resource should be the surgeon. What was your son told?
People go on to live long lives after valve replacement.
I wish your son the best of luck with his surgery.
🐬
We were only told 2 weeks ago that the valve which has been repaired twice ,now needs replaced . Covid of course stopped his annual checkup just when the valve deteriorated soit’s all a bit of a shock . They hope to do the surgery in the new year . He will meet his surgeon tomorrow and we have decided his partner will go with him as she has been amazingly supportive and they have only been together a year … Thank you for your reassurance . I just want him to be happy as he’s had a rough few years
Yes of course, as a mother I would want the same. I completely understand your anxiety.
His surgeon will give him the information he needs.
Try and wait patiently for the information your son will be given. I know that's easy for me to say. Deep breaths and think positive.
🐬
If you don't mind me asking. Is your son having any symptoms at all currently?
He has been feeling tired and depressed these last few years but there were other factors in his life to cause that ?? He divorced , lost all his income as he’s a musician and wrecked his back . That’s a short version of a long story . His consultant said going by the state of his valve he would have been feeling exhausted. So I’m hoping a new valve will give him the energy he needs to get up and get on with his life. He wants start a family with his new partner , that’s why I freaked when I was reading articles about short life expectancy!
Dear Mariawatters,
What a terrible worry it must must be for you and your son.
I hope that the consultant can help reassure you that, regardless of the time expectations of the new valve, that it will give both you and your son some great life memories that have yet to be made.
Remember every year that passes they are advancing in procedures, so if and by the time it needs to be looked at again we would have learned so much more.
I would not be here today { or very unlikely } if they had used the methods and procedures from years ago on my heart.
Please embrace and enjoy your life.
You are both in my thoughts
I am unfortunately possibly needing my mechanical valve to be replaced. However I was born with heart issues and operated on at 15. I am now 42 and still active and asymptomatic. All the best to you and your son with everything. P
I read this on Google and panicked too - I’ve just had my valve replaced at 49,These figures are averages and the majority of people having the operation are older than your son so the data can not be compared. When I was in hospital a high proportion of people were in their 70s so 20 years gives a good lift expectancy . His surgeon will guide him. Good luck
Dear Maria
A lot of AVRs are performed on us less young patients. I am 74 so expectancy of 15 years is fine. Doesn’t mean my valve will only last 15 years.
It just means I will last 15 years.
And that’s the average.
I have had a pretty massive stroke and then five years later AVR so the stroke may well affect my lifespan.
Your son is 34 and might I guess that, with a partner on board, he has a lot of years to look forward to.
And, if you can calm down, you too will have a lot of years to look forward to.
Colin
Hi Maria, I appreciate it's not always easy, but, please try to avoid reading too much on the internet, as much of it just cant be trusted. Next week will be the 27th Anniversary of my first AVR, so going by those timescales I should be long gone. Of course I'm not, because they bear no resemblance to the reality of having surgery in our early 30s. My oldest son was 2 years old at the time, and I've seen him grow along with my youngest son, with both in their mid to late 20s.
Prior to that surgery, a grey haired gentlemen gave me the best advice I've ever had on OHS. At the first pre-op he put me at ease within minutes, telling me not to worry, that was his job, a job he did virtually day in day out, with an experienced and exceptional team around him, he didn't expect any problems. Look at the positives that will come of the surgery and don't dwell on the whole process. Of course I was nervous going into hospital, but, that was quickly alleviated and I have to say, I never looked back.
I've always been of the mind, that in some ways, it becomes a numbers game when you have surgery so young, in that it makes little difference whether it's a Mech or Tissue valve that we have. As my surgeon explained to me at the time, I would have further surgery when I was older, which is why I chose a Tissue at the time. Nineteen years later it was replaced as expected and I opted for Mech valves. At 52 years old I certainly didn't do so thinking I'd only have another 10-15 or so years left.
It's difficult to reassure other than relay our own exeriences, but, I'm sure once your son has seen the surgeon, he will hopefully feel more at ease.
Take Care
Heed
It’s awful when a loved one needs surgery, especially when it’s your child, however old they are. At the age of 55, almost 4 years ago my husband has his mechanical Aortic valve fitted. He was told it will last 30+ years and possibly outlast him! That is to say, whatever he dies from and whenever that is, the valve is still likely to be going strong. Please rely on what your son’s consultant says and not google. All the best to you and your family.
I can understand your anxiety. My son was told 2 years ago he needed a valve repair or replacement, but before he got to see the surgeon, he had a road accident and suffered serious injuries. 3 weeks later he had to have a colectomy for a perforated bowel, and got sepsis. He was on life support, and not expected to recover, but he did. It delayed his recovery from the initial injuries, including a badly smashed leg, as he couldn't have physio for nearly a year. He also had to have his femur reset. We are hoping he will be well enough to have the valve operation sometime in the New Year, but with covid and backlogs, who knows? I have worked with patients who have had valve repairs and replacements, some of them more than once, and most have a good quality of life. Heart surgery is almost commonplace these days, with advancements being made all the time. Reading up on these things on the internet can be very scary, and it's something I avoid. Your son is young, and stands a very good chance of having a near normal life after this operation. Try to see it as a positive that he is getting the help he needs at the moment. In 10 -15 years who knows what will happen? It's too far ahead to even think about. None of us know what is ahead of us.
I can’t imagine how that must have been for you . It hard enough hoping they make it to and through surgery without all that . I hope he’s ok ❤️
It's been tough, and it's not over yet, but he's very laid back about the whole thing. He's coped with it all much better than I have. I've got heart problems myself, but nothing compared to his. The ironic thing is, it was only because my cardiologist wanted my son tested to see if what I have might be hereditary that they found out he had a leaking valve, and he still hasn't had the test because everything else got in the way. Such is life!
Maria, I can only go ony own experience but hope this encourages you. I had an aortic valve replaced over 33 years ago when I was 32. Admittedly my natural leaking valve was replaced while I was still in good health but I have lived a normal active life ever since and have had no valve related health problems to date. Warfarin has also given me no adverse issues. I hope this testimony helps reassure you and your son and I wish you both well.
Mechanical valve thudding
Mechanical or biological valve?
Mechanical Vs tissue valve. 
mechanical v tissue valve
