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D

dot

Hi, I'm really, really new to all of this, so please bear with me. My husband is 59 and has been told by cardiologist he will need valve replacements of mitral and aortic valves on of these days. Naturally, hit us like a ton of bricks. He has had the palpatations (he calls "skipping a beat") and spasms on left side of his chest. I know he is very, very concerned (I'm a basket case) to the point he doesn't really talk about it because we both don't understand it very well. The palpatations keep him awake at nite - is this normal? Should we be going to emergency? They come and go - sometimes a couple times during the day then nothing for a couple of weeks. Is there anything I can do for him? I know he feels uncomfortable, but I'm helpless - I don't know what to do.
Can anyone tell me their symptons and how their surgery went? We are really concerned - he drives truck for a company (ususally local) and is the only income we have. Doc said he would be off maybe 2 months but should be able to do everything he did before after that??? I think we both have a million questions, but don't really know where to start. Thanks for the ear.
 
Hi Dot,
Welcome to vr.com. You have come to the right place for answers and support. There are many here who have a storehouse of knowledge. I had my aortic valve replaced but there are those who have had both. It is frightening but it is not as bad as you both might think.

As far as the palpitations go it may be A-Fib, an electrical disturbance in the heart that causes irregular beats. I had that as well and had it corrected during my valve replacement. Please feel free to ask us anything, there are no silly questions.

Again, welcome.
 
I'm new here too and was recently told the same thing. I can't answer your questions becuase I have all the same ones . But just wanted to let you know you're not alone.

In my short time as a member, I can say there is a lot of great information and great people here.
 
dot said:
Can anyone tell me their symptons and how their surgery went?
Click to expand...

First of all, welcome to VR.com. Sorry for the circumstances but glad you found us. In my case, I didn't have any symptoms that I noticed, except maybe the odd palpitation the final weeks before surgery (I had about a 7 month wait for my surgery date). The surgery went fine. It wasn't nearly as bad as I had imagined. In fact, after it was over my first thought was "that was it?". To be honest, I thought the waiting was worse than the surgery itself. He'll be back to work in 2 - 3 months. In my case, I took 12 weeks off but I had full disability coverage so could afford to. However, I can't say I could do everything I did before at 2 months post-op. It was more like a year before I felt I was fully recovered. Eveyones recovery is different though....some take less some take more. I think a year is about average from what I've heard. Best wishes and good luck.
 
Welcome! The "skipped beat" type of palpitations are either pre-atrial contractions (PACs) or ventricular bi-gemini (VBG's) I had a lot of both prior to my surgery and still experience them from time to time when under stress. But they are considered to be "benign", in that they shouldn't lead to life threatening situations. Has he had a 24 hour-Holter Monitor done? If not, he probably should, just so you know what exactly his palpitations are.

Since he is having aortic valve issues - you will want them to check for aortic aneurysm as well. This can go hand in hand with certain types of aortic valve disorders. A CT scan is often used to detect aneurysms. Echos are not good at showing them.

You have a lot to think about and digest. Ask any and all questions. You can see by our sheer numbers that valve replacement surgery isn't uncommon and is most often very successful.
 
Hello Dot and welcome to the group.
Before surgery most of us have had palpitations, skipped beats (pvc), and various other symptoms. The important thing is to get some tests done now so that the cardio can follow his condition. They will usually do the EKG, and the echocardiogram (ultrasound) first. Possibly a stress test (treadmill) and maybe the CT scan. These are all really easy, painless tests that will offer a good baseline. He should be seeing his cardio regularly and making note of any pains and shortness of breath he may be having.
Try not to worry too much, and try not to read everything at once, it can be overwhelming.:)
 
dot said:
Hi, I'm really, really new to all of this, so please bear with me. My husband is 59 and has been told by cardiologist he will need valve replacements of mitral and aortic valves on of these days. Naturally, hit us like a ton of bricks. He has had the palpatations (he calls "skipping a beat") and spasms on left side of his chest. I know he is very, very concerned (I'm a basket case) to the point he doesn't really talk about it because we both don't understand it very well. The palpatations keep him awake at nite - is this normal? Should we be going to emergency? They come and go - sometimes a couple times during the day then nothing for a couple of weeks. Is there anything I can do for him? I know he feels uncomfortable, but I'm helpless - I don't know what to do.
Can anyone tell me their symptons and how their surgery went? We are really concerned - he drives truck for a company (ususally local) and is the only income we have. Doc said he would be off maybe 2 months but should be able to do everything he did before after that??? I think we both have a million questions, but don't really know where to start. Thanks for the ear.
Click to expand...

Welcome to our world Dot and Hubby!

Did your husband tell the Cardiologist about his "skipping beats"? Most likely they are Premature Atrial Contractions (PAC's) or Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC's) which are the "common cold of Cardiology" and are generally considered benign. You can tell that by when the Cardiologist nods and yawns.

I am surprised he didn't order a 24 hour Holter Monitor to 'capture' the exact type of arrhythmia your husband is experiencing. PAC's and PVC's exhibit the same (skipping heartbeat) symptoms but can only be identified by an EKG (or so I'm told). They are usually controlled easily by medication (usually a Beta Blocker, hopefully with only a small dose).

To begin your Patient Education Program, you can either browse through the various Forums, use the SEARCH feature to find specific topics, or go the the REFERENCE SOURCES Forum and look for the link to the "Treating Valvular Heart Disease" references.

It is GOOD that your husband's Heart Disease(s) have been found early because just about anything with the Heart can be treated or mended by modern medicine and surgery. Just remember, every member represents either a Survivor or family member of a survivor. Success Rates for First Time Surgeries are incredibly High (1% risk of Stroke and 1% risk of Mortality on a national basis) which is WAY better than the alternative of doing nothing and letting the disease progress to an untimely end.

Look around and feel free to ask ANY questions that come to your mind. Chances are someone here will know the answer or be able to point you in the right direction.

Many patients are able to return to work after 6 weeks (for office jobs) or 8 to 12 weeks post-surgery for more manual types of jobs. It may take up to a year to reach the 'full surgical benefit' as the patient reconditions his body and muscles with appropriate exercise. The Good News is that most people continue to get better and better as they recover, it just takes time.

Take a Deep Breath and Dig In :)

'AL Capshaw'
 
Dot -- as for the palpitations, I'll leave that to others. I can tell you that returning to work varies greatly among the patients and the type of work they do. I was back at my desk job in 4 weeks. I was also driving a car by then. I know that's not the same as a truck, but it'll give you some idea. The docs will tell you 3 months before you are "totally" healed. That is not really "totally" - what they mean is 3 months before your sternum is healed enough that youj can resume normal lifting, etc. I waited -- I think it was almost 3 months before I raced my sailboat. That can be strenuous, and I didn't want to undo anything. BUT - I felt GREAT long before that.

If possible -- and I know this may not be possible -- have your husband try to get into some kind of physical fitness shape before the surgery. Walking is of course excellent. I am not talking a week before surgery, he needs to begin it NOW and continue right up to the day. Believe me when I say this will do wonders for helping speed up his recovery both in the hospital and at home. Now -- again, I don't know all the details of your husbands condition and your doc may NOT allow what I just suggested -- so by all means check with him FIRST. Good luck -- and as -- I think it was Wayne said, the operation really was not as bad as I had conjured up in my mind. Let me give you an example -- for all that they do in your chest, I had almost no pain. You don't want to cough, but that is about it. Hellsbells, I was up the next day, roaming the hallways and bringing the nurses coffee. (That does wonders for improving your care :D )
 
dot said:
Hi, I'm really, really new to all of this, so please bear with me. My husband is 59 and has been told by cardiologist he will need valve replacements of mitral and aortic valves one of these days.

he drives truck for a company (ususally local) and is the only income we have.
Click to expand...

Ok, welcome, you probably need to quantify with the cardiologist what he means by 'one of these days'...does he mean 6 months or 5 years?

Once you know, you can plan.

I'd say that he is right to say 2 months, i was fine after two months but had 3 months off work as i was covered with insurance. Driving a truck will be harder on the chest than driving a car but i guess its down to the truck and if it has power steering etc....I work for a CAT dealer and some of their trucks are easier to drive than a small compact car so i guess your husband needs to assess how easy the trucks are to drive in comparision to a car.

Then you need to work out the best time for surgery and balance it out between having enough time to put some money aside to cover the two months and getting the surgery done before there is too much risk or too much damage done to the rest of the heart.

These early stages are not easy, both your heads will be buzzing and your trains of thought will be derailed but you both need to talk about it openly with both yourselves and the cardio. Rather than go blank sit and make a list of questions on paper BEFORE you go see the cardio and take the time to write down the answers as he tells you, asking for clarification of anything you don't know.

Its only the fear of the unknown that is hard, once you know what is happening and what the plan is to fix things you can start to follow the plan and eventually reach a calm place.

As for us lot, we are waiting to answer any questions you have about anything at all, from the most complex (which i will not be answering :rolleyes: ) to the most simple questions about what you should take to the hospital.

Best of luck.
 
Hi Dot,
just wanted to say welcome to the forum, i can't give you any advice but know how you are feeling with the worry bit. Wanted to wish you and your husband the very best of luck, if you have a question just ask and people will do there best to help.
 
Welcome, Dot. You have come to a great place for advice and support. Please feel free to ask away with any and all questions and we will try to help.
 
Glad to meet you, Dot, but I wish it were under different circumstances.;)

Make yourself at home, read the forums for information, and ask any, and all, questions you may have.:)
 
Hi,

You have certainly come to the right place. I'm in a similar situation. My husband, Tom, is going to be 64 on Feb 5th, and while he has had a heart murmur most of his life, we never knew it would mean valve replacement until the past two years, and then all of a sudden he needs it, now. Start looking for a heart surgeon and taking his/her and your cardiologist's advice on when it should be done. Tom has some symptoms that make him feel uncomfortable, so we're going for sooner rather than later. Maybe as soon as his birthday. I'm pretty much a basket case too and I'm so thankful for this forum; everyone here is pretty great.

Good luck, Judith
 
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