Heart bypass operation and mitral valve repair

[Easter2024]

Last week I had an angiogram. This showed that I need to have a heart bypass operation at Bart's. Apparently, I also need mitral valve repair. My initial meeting with my consultant is on February 3rd 2025. I would welcome any advice that people could offer or reassurance. Thank you

[Daffodilia]

Husband had a new aortic valve and bypass at Papworth in August. Recovery is slow but he can feel the benefits now compared to before the op. Good Luck

[Easter2024 in reply to Daffodilia]

Thank you very much for your reply and your best wishes. Good to hear that your husband can feel the benefits. I hope that things will be clearer after I see the consultant in February. Best wishes

[MPort]

Hi I heard 2 weeks ago that I need mitrial valve repair or replacement and other valves need attention too. It has been such a shock. My biggest immediate problem is getting some sleep as sitting up while sleeping is so uncomfortable. Do you have this problem? I found reading through all the posts on this site very informative especially that British Heart Foundation have a cardiac nurse available for phone chats. 03003303311 thinks it's weekdays. My second worry is aftercare. I am my husband's carer. We can increase the help we get but it still be tricky. I hope you get many more replies. Good luck with everything.

[Easter2024 in reply to MPort]

Thank you very much for your post and the advice. I will try ringing the British Heart Foundation next week. Like you I do find looking at the other posts. I have not been told anything about my sleep position, so I have had no problems. I see the consultant on February 3rd and am hoping that things will be clearer then. I hope that you manage to sort the situation with your husband's cate. Best wishes.

[bikebabe]

you’ll be in very good hands at Bart’s - my brother had his mitral valve done there and I had mine done elsewhere. It’ll be tough for a few weeks as you recover but it is temporary and after six months he’ll probably forget it was ever done. Follow the advice given, take the pills especially laxatives (a daily /weekly pill box helps keep trac) , seek advice when you need it, stay with what feels comfortable/safe, rest but try to be a little more active each week overall (you’ll have bad days /good days), find an absorbing activity to occupy your mind. A wedge pillow and lots of pillows around it helped. Definitely do the cardiac rehab to meet others but also because the physios are so helpful. Don’t beat yourself up or push yourself with too high expectations - we all go at different speeds and it does take time. I also self monitored my heart rate, temp and oxygen sats out of curiosity more than anything and because I have multiple comorbidities and am a control freak! I had a lot of chest muscle pain and a bit of pleural effusion but it goes eventually.

[Easter2024 in reply to bikebabe]

Thank you very much for the encouragement. Glad to hear that both operations were successful. Will take on board the advice you have given. Thank you so much. Best wishes.

[CatLovingLucy]

Hi - I had a mistral valve repair (it does mean you'll need open heart surgery, as you know) and mine was done as an emergency because the valve had prolapsed - I also had pneumonia. However despite that, I made a full recovery and feel much better than I did before, so basically your chances of getting back to good health are extremely good! If I can do it, you certainly can

[Easter2024]

Thank you very much for your encouraging words. Very pleased that you feel much better having had the operation. You have made me feel more positive. Best wishes.