Aortic valve replacement late onset chest pain

[Wizard_of_Oz]

Hi, I am a 57 year old male who, 18 months ago had an aortic valve replacement due to a genetic bicuspid valve. I now have a bovine valve. All going well except for the last 2 months when I have started to get chest pain when lying down. I am most aware when I wake int the morning when the symptoms are like heart burn. It could simply be unrelated heart burn, but wondered if it could be associated with my surgery or my meds. I am on aspirin, Rosuvastatin and bisoprolol. Any similar experience and solutions out there really appreciated. Thanks, Richard

[Cliff_G]

Long term aspirin can cause digestive issues, even 75 mg. Suggest talking to your doctor. But if digestive interventions (e.g. Gaviscon) don't work obviously and quickly, you should have further investigation.

[Wizard_of_Oz in reply to Cliff_G]

Thank you for your comment, much appreciated

[Cliff_G in reply to Wizard_of_Oz]

No problem. Whilst I agree with other comments here about digestive issues, I have seen too many problems ascribed to digestion when there's something else going on, which is why I say get back to your Docs quickly if the digestive issues are not immediately and obviously fixed by whatever they suggest first. If it is digestion, Gaviscon in particular, and PPIs, should work immediately (Gaviscon) or within a few days (PPIs). But these things can be difficult to track down.

[Wizard_of_Oz in reply to Cliff_G]

Many thanks Cliff, much appreciated

[Blearyeyed]

As you say if it happens mainly in the morning it could still be heart burn.Do you take a PPI like Omeprazole to reduce stomach acid and irritation from the medications on your stomach ?

Do you make sure you eat something like a portion of yoghurt with your medications to reduce irritation from the aspirin? If not , trying that , or ensuring you have your aspirin with a meal may be a good start.

It may also be made worse by the position you are sleeping or lying in. To reduce acid reflux causing morning chest pain or burning and irritating to your throat it is a good idea to sleep with your head and shoulders comfortably raised on pillows rather than flat and to sleep to your left or back. If you sleep on your right your stomach is usually higher than your head at night and stomach acid then travels into your oesophagus during sleep.

But it also needs discussing with the GP in a phone appointment, especially if you aren't only getting these pains in the morning , during certain types of exercises or after meals . First , to keep them up to date on your current symptoms and see if they agree that it is acid reflux or might need further examination.

Second, because they may suggest that you take a PPI with your medications , even in the short term until the symptoms are under control.

Hope it improves soon , Bee

[Wizard_of_Oz in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thank you so much Bee, great suggestions.