Post Valve Replacement issues

[Beanlover]

My husband aged 79 had an aortic valve replacement by open heart surgery 4 wks ago. He was asymptomatic before that. It was discovered at a pre opp assessment. He developed atrial fibrillation post op and was put on thinners, and bisoprolol 1.25 mg, and a continuation of furosemide. He had a mild TIA 10 days post op, and they added statins to his medication. He has been very tired which we expected, but has been finding it difficult to sleep in bed at night because of his breathing, which he describes as not being breathless, but finding it difficult to breathe. He has been coughing a lot aswell, though not bringing up phlegm, his ankles and feet are swollen aswell. V helpful GP saw him and said there is no infection, but too much fluid. During the day the fluid goes down to feet, amd when he is in bed at night it settles round his lungs. He has doubled his furosemide, but that has not had much effect. Consultant friend of my daughters says that the heart will still be replenishing its blood supply. He had an X Ray and a CT head scan following the TIA, stroke doctor is happy that there was no major effects from that.He is not very mobile yet, foul weather doesn't encourage going out. Climbing stairs, having a shower etc wipes him out.

Just wonder whenever anyone else who has been through similar op, has had similar problems.

[Ticktick]

Dear Beanlover aortic valve replacement surgery down the road for me Kind of sailing in the same boat Sending prayers blessings and love

[nursenancy53]

Very early days after such major surgery - it takes a while to recover. Take care

[Redfloyd]

I had AVR and CABG last Sept 25th. I really was I step forward 2 steps backwards for weeks. I don't think I was able to do much until week 5 onwards and then it was very slow and steady. If I overdone it 1 day I suffered the next. Definitely the weather doesn't help. I got an exercise bike, plenty on FB marketplace surprisingly cheap, but due to a unrelated knee injury I haven't used it as much as I could have done but back on it again now.. I was relatively fit before, not an exercise person but physical job and active lifestyle and younger than you (61) so don't be to hard on yourself. They told me that I would feel better than I did before the op......I'm still waiting for that to happen. I'm still not back to work and to be perfectly honest I don't feel well enough to be able to go back to full time work. At the end of the day it's about as big an operation as you can have and it's going to take time. Hopefully you'll start feeling better by the time the better weather comes. Wishing you all the best.

[Ronniemollie]

Can your husband put his legs up higher tham his heart when he is laying down..or raise the bed at the top i knpw a cousin of mine had the occupational health round.Might be worth asking them

[JHeartValve]

I had a similar operation just over two years ago. I was starting to improve after four weeks but I'm younger so agree it's early days, especially since he's been poorly with other things. I still have a tendency to retain fluid and find having my feet elevated when I'm sat down helpful. I found sleeping difficult after the surgery, has he tried extra pillows or a v shaped pillow to be more comfortable, Stay strong, he will improve. Please look after yourself as well

[Beanlover in reply to JHeartValve]

Thank you for your reponse. It is early days, We have a V pillows and all manner and number of pillow layouts, but he seems to get uncomfortable after a while which ever way it's arranged. He knows he should put his feet up, but finds his breathing gets more difficult if he's lying flat. This morning he came down to the living room at 6.30 to be more upright. Sofa is a recliner so he can change position, and falls asleep there quite easily. We have a brilliant GP who rings frequently, and got him into the surgery to check him at 7pm when he said he was coughing a lot. Interestingly GP has 2 other patients who have had the same op, but before my husband. He said they are only now beginning to feel they are improving. I think its the breathing and sleeping issue that is most bothering him, aswell as feeling totally wiped out all the time. The cardiac rehab team is ringing this week, so he has a chance to sound out how they feel he's doing. Thank you!

[JHeartValve in reply to Beanlover]

I spent a lot of time coming downstairs in the night with the duvet at first. He could have his feet up on a footstool perhaps.

He will love cardiac rehab! It's amazing the confidence you get from it. I found the change in mindset difficult at first. You spend all the time before the operation trying to not overdo it and get out of breath and then rehab encourages to start behaving normally and getting your heart strong again.

He'll get there!

[Beanlover in reply to JHeartValve]

You can raise the the foot bit on our recliner, but he doesn't do it all the time. Good to know others come down in the night. He didn't really have to be careful before the op as he didn't really get short of breath. I get more breathless. Cardiologist said he was asymptomatic. He's not long got over a hip replacement ( which was when they discovered his leaky valve) when he was doing physio exercises. It will be good when he starts feeling better.

[Billett]

Is he on diuretics because it could help getting rid of the fluids and this cold wather used to my breath away also could be a reaction to medication has he.been offered rehab

[Beanlover in reply to Billett]

Yes he's been on Furosemide and the doctor has doubled the dose because of the fluid. He's had a phone call from the rehab team, who are ringing again this this week. I think they will offer more when they think he's ready

[Billett]

Rehab will be beneficial and the fluid will move which is also very beneficial and baby steps no running before you can walk

[PadThaiNoodles]

I didn't start cardiac rehab until 16 weeks post-op because they were a bit backed up, but in hindsight I think that was pretty good spacing. Even now (21 weeks) my sternum can still be sore sometimes.

[Signpost100]

Almost 3 years ago, I had a triple heart bypass. I still have one foot & leg swollen, out of breath when carrying heavy'ish shopping bag . This will last a bit longer. I am 8 flights of stairs to apartment, but dont take elevator. Stopping half way for 30 swecs to get breath back. It is getting easier - but it does take time. Other suggestions in other posts are helpful and good. Have patience - it will be ok. Best wishes.