Irregular Heart Beat - post surgery

[GeorgeM]

I had my AVR surgery 8 weeks back and so far my recovery progress has been good. I've had the usual sterum pain, stiffness and discomfort sleeping etc, but these conditions have all improved.

I've been doing daily walks OK but have not yet progressed to anything more strenuous !

However, at night, particularly when I lie down in bed I've noticed recently that my heart beat sometimes becomes irregular, appearing to miss a beat, and then recovers afterwards - giving me a slightly funny feeling for a moment or two. It doesn't sound right to me.

Anyone here had any similar experiences ?

I'm seeing my Cardio for a review in a couple of weeks so will be asking his opinion.

Best Wishes


George Montgomery

 

[Adrienne]

It sounds like you are having extrasystolic beats (PACs or PVCs). I also get them from time to time. They are generally supposed to be benign, but I don't like them anyway. I am always worried they will turn into something else!

 

[GeorgeM]

Adrienne

Yes your right, I sometimes get what appears to be an 'extra' shorter beat in between two regular ones - I think that's a more accurate description. Do I have a problem ?

Thanks

George

 

[Adrienne]

Probably not, but I would mention it to the cardiologist the next time you see him/her. It's better to be safe than sorry!! Actually, though, there are a lot of people who get that type of "palpitation" even when they have no real heart problems.

 

[ruth]

I've had different irregular heartbeats too and I know they are more frequent after heart surgery for some people. It sounds like what Adrienne said. Definately ask your cardio about it and ask why you aren't getting to the next level of exercise.

I had PVC's before surgery, like a thump, thump............thumpthump where the beat was arriving so late it sounded to me like a missed beat and the double beat sounded like just one.

I know for me that it is in those moments between lying down at night and when sleep arrives that the demons come out for me. I hear every heartbeat, wonder if the next one will come, marvel at the fact I'm alive today in spite of someone cutting into my heart, etc.

When in doubt, ask.......

Best Regards,
Ruth

 

[MaryC]

George,
My sister in law had irregular heart beat issues after her surgery and they went away. I am going on 6 weeks post surgery and was informed by my cardiologist last Monday that I am in a-flutter. He referred me to a specialist in his group that deals with electrical/heart rhythm issues. Now comes the barrage of medication for a month to see if they can get me back in rhythm. If not it will be cardio conversion in a month. Not happy about it but can't do anything about it either. Your cardiologist will be able to tell you what's going on.

 

[Susan BAV]

George, have you noticed if it happens when you are sleeping on your left side? It took me a few months to be really comfortable sleeping on either side but especially my left side because of occasional loud, strange, extra beats. It resolved for me. Check with your doctors though. Take care.

 

[tobagotwo]

Realize that your heart was cut open eight weeks ago, and all of the internal pressures have been altered dramatically. Your ventricle was probably enlarged, and now it is trying to remodel back to a normal size. Changing size and shape will affect how "regular" the beat will be, as it is a muscle. Probably, your heart is doing some of this behavior at other times, but when you're relaxing, and not concentrating on other things, it becomes intensely noticeable.

Your heart has every reason to have some irregular beats, and it is far more common to have some of these, especially during the first year, than not to. We all experience a heightened concern about everything that happens in our hearts for a while after the OHS.

I would urge you to be cautious about undertaking a permanent cure for what is likely a temporary issue. Certainly tell your cardiologist if you are concerned, but unless he feels there is a danger in leaving it alone, consider avoiding drug therapies that may interfere with your heart finding its own balance.

Best wishes,

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Yep, irregular heartbeats in the weeks following OHS are VERY COMMON. It's the 'Common Cold of Cardiology' and your Cardio may even Yawn when you tell him your symptoms, then Rx a Beta Blocker to see if that smooths things out. A low dose of Toprol kept my heart regular for some time.

Atrial Fibrilation can be more obstinate. Sotalol (generic for Beta Pace) did the trick for me when that little 'nasty' showed up a couple of years after my AVR (due to other changes that were going on).

If anyone suggests AMIODARONE, remind them that is supposed to be the anti-arrythmic of LAST RESORT. It is the SLEDGE HAMMER of anti-arrhythmics and has several NASTY side effects if taken for too long or in high doses.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[GeorgeM]

Sounds like I'm in good company here - thanks to everyone for the great advice.

Ruth

I hear every heartbeat, wonder if the next one will come

I know exactly what you mean - funny I get that feeling too !

BobH

Your ventricle was probably enlarged, and now it is trying to remodel back to a normal size.

Your absolutely right ! my ventricle was enlarged before surgery (seen on scans) and I guess it could well be trying to get back to its normal size. I also agree with your advice about avoiding use of drug therapies, where possible in favour of the body's own recovery - but see below.

AL

I'm taking a 5 mg daily beta blocker at present, and I have taken AMIODARONE as I also had several bouts of A-Fib.

I'll share with you all what happens - and what my Cardio suggests.

Best Wishes


George

 

[Mitral-Man]

George,

I had irreagular heart beats show up on an ekg last summer (didn't know I had them previously). It all led to other tests and eventually open heart surgery (mitral valve replace) on Jan 30 2007. I am about where you are now in the recovery time frame. I also had 2 heart events while in the hospital recovering. One slow down and one speed up. I am now taking cardio rehab at the hospital and I see on my progress charts that I am in steady PVC's during this therapy time. I assume if it was serious, I would know by now. I also use a stethascope at night to listen to the heart. Sometimes the heart sounds good for minutes on end and then the misbeats. So like everyone else has said, most appear to be no problem, but do check in with your cardio dept.....Gary

 

[tobagotwo]

Beta blockers are commonly prescribed after valve surgery, as they are intended to soften and slow the heart's beat. Depending on whether you have blood pressure problems, they are often reduced or withdrawn sometime from three months to a year and a half after surgery.

Amiodorone is a mixed blessing. It can take a year for it to fully leave your system after you stop using it. It's a wonder drug for some, stops some dangerous misrhythms and saves lives, but it is known to take a severe toll in side effects.

Afib is one of the ones you need to watch for. I had it for most of the second night after OHS, apparently due to irritation from the chest tube. Presumably, you're on Coumadin or Plavix for another month or so (three months is normal), which should keep any clot risk from undetected bouts of Atrial Fibrillation to a minimum.

Best wishes,

 

[GeorgeM]

Gary - thanks for sharing your experience.

Bob - yes I'm on Coumadin as I have a mech valve.

Thanks again

George

 

[MAR]

Hi George

Since my surgery 4 months ago I have had extra beats also. They have gradually tapered off for me and now I only notice them when falling asleep or lying on my left side. Our heart gets slightly damaged during surgery and is very excitable afterward that why we throw these extra beats. Also our hearts are usually contained within a sac called the pericardium which is slippery on the inside and help insult us from feeling every beat. This sac is cut open during surgery and left open so you feel each beat more, especially when there isn?t anything else to concentrate on.


Bicuspid valve
Mech aortic valve 12/2006