On-X aortic heart valve thumping noise.

[Girves1948]

I chose On-X because I didn't want valve failure and have to have another surgery.

However, with the thumping sound and a sometimes rapid heart beat, I with I'd gone with the bio valve.

So my question is: does the On-X mechanical valve get more quiet over time? I had my surgery in June, 2022.

[Rosie1066]

Hi, I had a mechanical aortic valve replacement 15 years ago and, in my case, it doesn’t get any better. I hear mine all the time. You do get used to it.

[scottpdn]

Hi,

I’m not sure about the On-x valve, but I have a titanium valve, which I’ve had for nearly 10 years. Unfortunately, it hasn’t gotten any quieter, but I have got used to it. And, as my consultant said, if I can hear the clicking, it means I’m alive!

[andy110519]

I got an On-x in 2019 so nearly 5 years and I think it's a case of just not noticing it most of the time but when lying down, especially when it's quiet, it is more noticeable.Take care.

Andy

[Rhinos67]

I have an On-x nearly 2 years now and so many times I say to people around me.. "can't you hear it?" Maybe I'm/we're just hyper aware of it when we just took our heartbeats for granted before and never noticed them. But as scottpdn said, it means we are alive, so I'm OK with thatJoanne

😁

[Coper10]

I had an On-x valve nearly 3 years ago. I was very conscious of the 'thumping' sound as my heart was beating - but was more aware of this when in bed before going to sleep. This was also when I could hear a clicking sound. However, I think initially after such a major operation, you are overly conscious of your heart beat and are very attuned/over aware of it. The clicking seems to have lessened so I noticed very rarely (I am nearly 3 years post op) and I am only aware of the thumping sound on odd occasions. Whether I am just more accustomed to it now I don't now. I don't let it bother me, and feel at least I know it's still going strong. I have not had any issues with a mechanical valve and am just glad to be here. Wishing you all the best.

[Okash]

I had an aortic valve replacement 12 years ago , it certainly got quieter or maybe I got used to it.

I can assure you when this was new, I couldn’t sleep peacefully for many nights.

As you mentioned, it’s been 2 years since your operation, by now you should’ve gotten used to it.

best

[Cliff_G]

Hi,

I have a Medtronic valve, 6 years now, and they don't really get any quieter. I have heard of people say they are quieter the lower your blood pressure is, which would make sense from a physics point of view.

Where you're really hearing it, if my own experience is anything to go by, is when your heart rhythm is irregular. My valve really lets me know when my rhythm is off, fast bursts, ectopics, etc. Here, the real problem is the arrhythmia, not the valve, which is then just an amplifier. When I'm in solid sinus (rare these days ) the valve noise just fades into the background.

I heard one case of a guy saved from a home cardiac arrest because his wife couldn't hear his valve clicking and called 999.

[Tlyna]

Both of my parents had aortic valve replacements within a few years of each other, My dad had the pig valve and it was still working fine 20 years later when he died but he refused to take the medications he was ordered as prescribed so in actually killed himself with stupidity. My mom has a mechanical valve and it is about 30 years and she is still going strong heart-wise but has severe emphysema and dementia due to long time smoking and a really bad diet most of her life.