How long do you stay in the hospital after a heart valve replacement?
You can expect to stay in the hospital for about a week, including at least 1 to 3 days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Recovery after valve surgery may take a long time, depending on how healthy you were before the operation.
Is a heart valve replacement major surgery?
Heart valve surgery is open-heart surgery through the breastbone, into the chest. It is a major operation that can last two hours or longer and recovery often takes several weeks.
How serious is a heart valve replacement surgery?
Possible risks of heart valve repair or replacement surgery include: Bleeding during or after the surgery. Blood clots that can cause heart attack, stroke, or lung problems. Infection.
How long does it take to recover from heart valve repair surgery?
You will probably go home 5-7 days after surgery but recovery can take up to three months. Some patients recover quickly and are back to work in 6 weeks. If you feel ready to go back to work early we recommend part time to start.
What is the life expectancy of someone with an artificial heart valve?
Mechanical Heart Valve – Valve Lifetime, Blood Thinner, Bleeding Risk, and Survival. All ages: Likely to last a lifetime. Patients ≤ 65 years: Aortic valve failure as early as 5 years. Mitral valve failure as early as 4 years.
What is the best heart valve replacement?
The aortic valve and the mitral valve are the most commonly replaced valves. Pulmonary and tricuspid valve replacements are fairly uncommon in adults.
What can I expect after heart valve replacement?
After an aortic valve replacement, you’ll usually need to stay in hospital for about a week. The time it takes to fully recover varies depending on factors like your age and overall health. Your breastbone will usually heal in about 6 to 8 weeks, but it may be 2 to 3 months before you feel your normal self again.
What does a bad heart valve feel like?
Some physical signs of heart valve disease can include: Chest pain or palpitations (rapid rhythms or skips) Shortness of breath, difficulty catching your breath, fatigue, weakness, or inability to maintain regular activity level. Lightheadedness or fainting.
Can a heart valve be replaced without open heart surgery?
Cardiologists expect wider use of the less-invasive technique—known as TAVR—in the near future. The one-way valve inside your aorta opens to allow blood to surge from the heart to the rest of your body.
Can you live a normal life after aortic valve replacement?
For aortic valve-replacement patients in general, this loss was 1.9 years. Without treatment, however, the mean survival for these patients is two to three years. The researchers found no differences in loss of life expectancy between women and men.
What are the risks of aortic valve replacement?
Risks associated with aortic valve repair and aortic valve replacement surgery may include:
- Bleeding.
- Blood clots.
- Valve dysfunction in replacement valves.
- Heart rhythm problems.
- Infection.
- Stroke.
- Death.
Is heart valve surgery painful?
DURING THE VALVE SURGERY PROCEDURE
During the operation, the surgeon opens your chest to get to your heart and the problem valve. You will be asleep during the operation and will feel no pain.