I have had open heart surgery 8 weeks ago to replace my aortic valve. I have a mechanical valve now which I can hear ticking/thudding.
Few days ago I could notice , while lying down, a few skipped heartbeats, naturally I got a little worried and also panicked which made the matter worse. This episode lasted for around 4 hours after that it seemed to resolved itself. I went to A&E, didn’t want to risk it, waited 16 hours, had ecg and bloods done. Everything was normal so got discharged.
now I have become perhaps a little over conscious about my hearbeat and can feel my heart skips a beat every so often. When it happens, it happens for maybe several time 10-12 times with in few hours and rest of the time I don’t really feel it.
I would like to know from members here if anyone has similar experience or is it something to be expected during recovery.
Many thanks
Written by
Hridhoy
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HiI had surgery 13 months ago and am now ultra aware of every heartbeat. I think it's to be expected to be honest.
If you aren't already a member of our Aortic Facebook group then I would highly recommend. So much support and reassurance from those who've been through it and a chance to help those still waiting.
What you're hearing is what are often called ectopic beats, which simply means beats out of the normal pattern of regular beating. These actually occur quote normally even with people who have no heart problem at all, it's just that people don't usually notice them, or if they do, they have no reason (such as open heart surgery) to think they are at all abnormal.
I have had ectopics for many years but since I had my aortic valve replaced I have also become much more aware of them, since the noise of the valve makes them so much more noticeable. So firstly, it's possible that you've had them all along and never noticed.
Another possibility is that open heart surgery does cause inflammation of the heart tissue which then disturbs the electrical conduction in the heart and can cause these. Inflammation is worst just after the op and usually reduces with time, but even so, with you only getting them some weeks after the op, it's still possible that inflammation is the cause, and as I say, should settle down. You should have been told, though, to ensure your dental hygiene is excellent, with proper cleaning twice and flossing once or twice a day. Statistically, it's unlikely to be a cause, but the mouth is almost the only place in the body where infection can get directly into the bloodstream, so it's wise to know this and be careful.
Another possibility is, have you been started on any new medications post-surgery? Some meds can tend to cause ectopics. One candidate is beta blockers which, when they slow the heart down a bit, allow a larger window between beats for the odd spurious beat to intervene.
It's also worth trying to correlate when they happen with something else, such as, are they mainly at night, or do they happen after food, which are both things whuch slow the heart down naturally, and have the same effect as above.
With the frequency you describe, a doctor won't usually see that there is anything wrong, but they will say that worrying about it, which disturbs the autonomic nervous system which among other things controls tthe heart, will make them worse.
I'd suggest that the correct course of action is probably to wait and see - I don't think as you've had a clear ECG and bloods that there's anything a doctor can or will do. What people rarely get told is that waiting is often part of the diagnostic process. Do try and reduce any stress, try avoiding caffeine (coffee/fizzy drinks etc) for at least 3 weeks, and try any methods which suit you for calming things down generally - meditation, relaxing music, walks in nature, etc.
thank you very much for your reply. Information you have provided is very helpful. First noticeable episode I had was after a lunch, i had been off spicy food after surgery and on that day indulged myself with a rather lavish lunch. And after that became over conscious about my heart rhythm. Post surgery I have also been put on beta blocker and BP medication so what you have said is very reassuring.
Great, you're on the right track then. I really have to avoid very large meals, especially late evening. Sends my ectos bonkers, with much burping too.
I had exactly the same experience when I had mine replaced back in 2005 Especially when in bed or in a very quiet room, now I never hear it. To get over hearing it in bed my cardiologist recommended I buy a ticking alarm clock so I would hear that rather than my valve ticking. It worked wonderfully.
A big welcome to the " Listening to my Heart " group , for that is what happens when we undergo anything to do with this incredible organ.
You are not alone and to be honest with you it started to make me feel quite ill not knowing if the next beat was coming along or not.
My Cardiologist put it to me that, I wouldn't know if the next beat came along or not and also didn't I realise that the heart still works away while Im asleep?
It took awhile for the thoughts to settle down, but I still have my listening moments and properly always will.
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