Mechanical valves ... but what about the ticking?

Hi Mark
I'll amend what I quoted to reflect what I think is the case

Mark Miller said:

which can increase the risk of afib, which is a risk for all of us who have had replacement valves

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Unless you know something I don't, there is no additional risk of afib for mechanical valve vs bio, vs homograft vs the Ross that i know of.

As far as I know all of us have increased risk with subsequent surgeries and onset in later life too.

If you have any research on hand I'd be keen to read it.

Best Wishes

Mark Miller said:

Chuck - I have read that snoring is a sign that a person may have sleep apnea, which can increase the risk of afib, which is a risk for all of us who have mechanical valves. Have you been checked for sleep apnea? I was checked 2 weeks ago; fortunately, I don't have it. I'm also fortunate that by the 2nd day after surgery I could sleep on either side. I just use a couple pillows to brace my hips and chest.

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I did, and they confirmed it. I have a cpap machine (got it following my "meeting the crap out of my deductible following open heart surgery") but I can't sleep worth a lick with it on my face. It feels like Alien!

I couldn't sleep on my sides for months, it was very painful right down my sternum. But that eventually all but disappeared in as I got further away from my surgery date. I know the snoring is a bad thing, even went to the a dental specialist who offered to set me up with this $2500 mouth piece. I said "I'll just snore and take my chances". Bottom line is I need to lose weight. I did a great job of it leading up to surgery, but put a good bit back on as I got to feeling better. I do exercise, but its tough living in south Louisiana, we eat.

I have a cpap machine (got it following my "meeting the crap out of my deductible following open heart surgery") but I can't sleep worth a lick with it on my face. It feels like Alien!


I have a similar problem (Pulmonary Hypertension) that requires oxygen therapy 24 hours per day. I tried the mask for sleeping and found it very uncomfortable. I switched to a Canula that fits into the nose about 18 months ago and have had no issues, or sleeping issues since. I don't know if that will work for your sleeping disorder but it might be worth a try. The Canula is very inexpensive.

BTW, my Cardio told me that my lung/heart disease has nothing to do with my having an artificial heart valve. Many have it, even infants.

ChuckM said:

. It feels like Alien!

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These are available however if you would feel better that way
https://technabob.com/blog/2019/01/28/alien-facehugger-cpap-mask/
Best Wishes

Digressing from valve stuff -
Wow that alien facehugger is disturbing!
I have been on CPAP since before my second surgery - my wife had enough of the snoring & I was qualified.
It takes some getting used to but it is really worth it. I used to have the nasal mask and wore chin strap around my head to stop the mouth breathing. Now I have got that dialed in, no more chinstrap and now I use nose pillows without as bad a strap across the face dent every morning.
If you need the CPAP and it’s not working, please follow up and try a different mask. It helps me a TON.

pellicle said:

no additional risk of afib for mechanical valve vs bio, vs homograft vs the Ross

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I apologize for any confusion, and I agree with Pellicle's statement. Again, my knowledge is limited. I just meant that all of us who've had our hearts cut open have increased risk of afib compared to before our heart surgery. The risk increases even more when it is combined with sleep apnea.

Hey Mark
no need for apology

Mark Miller said:

I apologize for any confusion, and I agree with Pellicle's statement. Again, my knowledge is limited. I just meant that all of us who've had our hearts cut open have increased risk of afib compared to before our heart surgery. The risk increases even more when it is combined with sleep apnea.

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I wasn't trying to be a PITA (somehow it just seems to come naturally to me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

I was just trying to be minimalist...


Best Wishes

Got OnX Nov-2015, 63, I also "only" hear something IF in bed and certain position, when techs do ultrasound tests they always ask me IF i am sure i have a mech valve because they normally can hear it when people get close to them; and my wife does not hear it neither; so, noise is not a problem, last but not least, after 8 years; i am happy i went with mech, the more stories and people i meet the more "for me" mech was the right choice, i refused to "Plan" go back to a hospital for a heart related operation

Yeah … I would try a variety of cpap masks before giving up, sleep apnea is rough on your heart among other things.

Bad hearing is truly something else. You WILL hear your heart valves if you want to hear it. Others...well it depends on their hearing and the room.
If you hold a mechanical watch to your ear, you hear it. Your mechanical valve is louder than that and you hear it like in the back of your throat.
Open your mouth and inhale through your mouth and you will hear it.
Brands do not make a difference. They are the same materials, same designs.

• Age now: 58
• Build: fat
• Hear valve: only if I focus on it

Since day 1ish I have never really noticed my valve's ticking, but can do so if I try. For me, it is an "internal sound" - one that I think I can hear as a "body function", though it CAN be heard by young people if in a very quiet place. I am the sort of person who hates the ticking of a mechanical clock, and consequently don't have any in my house, so it was a relief not to notice the valve.

I use a CPAP. I got a machine that starts slow and takes 5 min to get full power. It helped, I don't use that feature anymore. My cardio nurse said that what works for some is to use it while watching TV which helps get your subconscious used to it. If you want an extra incentive, 25% of men who are successful in CPAP therapy report an increase in sexual function due to the CPAP.

tom in MO said:

I use a CPAP. I got a machine that starts slow and takes 5 min to get full power. It helped, I don't use that feature anymore. My cardio nurse said that what works for some is to use it while watching TV which helps get your subconscious used to it. If you want an extra incentive, 25% of men who are successful in CPAP therapy report an increase in sexual function due to the CPAP.

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Do tell if mama has a smile or frown on her face if you have experienced these benefits.

Mister_James said:

Do tell if mama has a smile or frown on her face if you have experienced these benefits.

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Smile of course

Timmay said:

Age: Currently 52

Body type: 5’10”, 165-170lb. Other people say that I am thin/skinny and not fat or overweight.

Scar tissue amounts: Full sternotomy. Keloid-ish on the bottom inch and half. Hardly anything in the middle. The top part of the zipper has two points where it is keloid-ish.

Time after surgery: Year and a half

Other pertinent information: I have my own Aorta. I don't have a replacement. They had to do an aortic root enlargement to fit a 23mm On-X valve.

My thoughts and experience with my On-X mech valve and the "clicking" ...

• Generally speaking, I am not aware of my clicking. A day can pass without me noticing it.
• Yes, I can hear my own clicking. However, it needs to be a quiet room. I generally don't hear it in my house because there is a lot of white noise: dogs, air cleaners, music, computers, humidifier (in the winter), etc. When in a bathroom with the HVAC not running, I can totally hear it - quite easily too! I can also hear it in my grandmother's house where it is dead quiet.
• Older people never seem to hear my valve. Young people can. In a relatively quiet meeting room with my team from work, the young guy asked me if the clicking was my watch . I think that my On-X produces a higher pitched clicking in my body type that allows younger people with intact audible frequency ranges hear my valve.
• Yes, I do have the double click. But, you have to really pay attention to it. The tone is different on each part of the overall click. Plus, you have to keep in mind that the double-click happens relatively close together so it is perceived as a single click.
• I can't really sleep on my left side anymore. The click reverberates up through my chest and into my throat. Sleeping on my right side is, for the most part, ok.
• When I go camping, I play white noise on my phone because the clicking is a bit annoying. Notice that I said "a bit annoying" and not "unbearable", "aggravating", etc. I absolutely could still fall asleep without the white noise. However, I am very accustomed to white noise and enjoy it (I have tinnitus from years of loud music and playing in a hardcore band).
  • I know people with Misophonia that would 100% not be able to live with a mechanical valve. It would quite literally drive them crazy. PLEASE keep in mind that these same people are also driven crazy by someone chewing potato chips in the same room (perspective is important).

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Timmay said:

Tom's reply
(This describes my condition well, Misophonia. I have never heard the term before, but with my St Jude mechanical Bell that I've had for 36 years now and never gotten used to the sound. It is always aggravating to me and I have had to take medication every night for 36 years to be able to sleep. I feel helpless in overcoming this and wish there was something I could do to overcome it. I play White Noise every night on an air cleaner I have sitting next to my bed.)

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