Replacement aortic valve and aortic aneurysm along with bypass advice

[Biddaddyb]

Good afternoon I've been aware that I've got the aortic aneurysm, buy custard valve and stenosis. The big wanted for years and over the time I was told that I had to stop the weight training and everything else that I used to enjoy consequently I put weight on a lot of weight due to the unreading thyroid is made my life harder to lose weight as well and the spinal issues me and I can't do a lot of exercise especially not standing and walking everything appears to have suddenly come to a halt and the surgeons are due to do the open heart surgery I'd like to stay some advice from people please and I apologize for the long message is it normal for you to have a feeling of pain in your chest most of the time and shortness of breath until you have the operation? I've been looking at the valves and I'm thinking mechanical is the best way especially due to my age I've been reading posts about Warframe and about people having drinks etc I don't drink at all but I do go out on the Christmas party at work and I would like to have a social drinking light is that a problem anyone has experienced or is it not actually as scary as they emphasize thank you again for all your help everybody

[Bumpitybump]

not sure why you have posted twice 🤔, hope you get the support you need.

[PadThaiNoodles]

I got a mechanical valve and haven't really had any problems with warfarin. I'm not much of a drinker either, but I do have the odd glass of wine.

I also have recurrent brief depression (sort of a bipolar 3) and anxiety. I'm on escitalopram and lamotrigine, and if anything, I think they made open heart surgery a little easier than some experience. (Sure, I had some post-surgery crashes, but nothing like the crashes I used to get before the meds.)

[timelucky]

I had a mechanical valve 35 years ago and have been on Warfarin ever since. Sure getting it checked monthly is a pain in the butt but so what. I have never let my situation get in the way of living life how I choose, after all if I had to wrap up in cotton wool what would be the point of the surgery?

I also have a friend who has a modified animal valve in his early 40s. He is a super active fit guy & still works as a ski instructor and trekking guide. He went that route because he didn't want to be on Warfarin. Both routes are fine so don't sweat the technology, just get it done and move on

Be lucky

[Cliff_G]

Hi,

That's a challenge you have there. Quickly, the valve, yes at your age a mechanical valve is often the right choice, as it's for life and no need to replace at ~15 year intervals. Managing warfarin is not a big deal, and the Coagucheck machine can let you do it at home or when travelling. The slightly increased bleed risk is very manageable and not something I worry about (mech valve for 7 years now). You don't have to avoid all alcohol, just don't go binging.

Regarding fitness, can you get the underactive thyroid sorted, have a doc prescribe thyroxin? This would help a lot. With an aortic aneurysm, weight lifting is indeed not a great idea, but training with light weights is fine (avoid so many reps that your muscles reach failure point). Walking, swimming, running and generally getting back to fitness (with the help of the thyroxin) (plus losing weight if you can) is very important, not just for how you feel, but also to prepare yourself for the surgery. You will recover much better. They will probably do the aneurysm along with the valve. Just keep the exercise moderate, it will help.

Shortness of breath might be due to the valve, if it is not fully opening. That and the chest pain are worth talking to a doc about, they can tell a lot from an echo scan. Aneurysms themselves are asymptomatic.

Good luck