robojerry
Member
Hi fellow valvers,
When I first had my aortic valve replaced with a St Jude mechanical valve three years ago I didn't really think about the "long term". I was 23 at the time and kind of breezed though the operation and the recovery, maybe ignoring the seriousness of it all. About six months ago , however, I started to really worry about life expectancy and my health. I did the usual google search of "avr life expectancy, young adult, etc" and came up with results that seemed rather negative and depressing, placing life expectancy at around 16-22 years for someone in my position.
Then, however, I found this site and read that there were flaws with some of these studies/they couldn't be trusted/or just that there were plenty of people on here that proved them wrong, or at least inaccurate. It really put my mind at ease. Lately though I have started to worry again, I know this is not a new issue, and that it has been discussed on here already, but I'm really scared about how my avr will effect my future. I can't stop thinking about how I'm already three years into my post-surgery stage and that 16 years isn't that long. Then I look at the studies again and begin to get so worried that I can't really enjoy my life.
I know this is a silly thing to worry about, and I could get hit by a car today or live until I'm 100 years old - stranger things have happened right? I guess I don't really know why/what I'm asking, because no-one can assure anyone that they will have a long life. But what can someone like me expect in the long term?
I guess, as well, I just wanted somewhere to voice my worries and fears.
Best wishes
When I first had my aortic valve replaced with a St Jude mechanical valve three years ago I didn't really think about the "long term". I was 23 at the time and kind of breezed though the operation and the recovery, maybe ignoring the seriousness of it all. About six months ago , however, I started to really worry about life expectancy and my health. I did the usual google search of "avr life expectancy, young adult, etc" and came up with results that seemed rather negative and depressing, placing life expectancy at around 16-22 years for someone in my position.
Then, however, I found this site and read that there were flaws with some of these studies/they couldn't be trusted/or just that there were plenty of people on here that proved them wrong, or at least inaccurate. It really put my mind at ease. Lately though I have started to worry again, I know this is not a new issue, and that it has been discussed on here already, but I'm really scared about how my avr will effect my future. I can't stop thinking about how I'm already three years into my post-surgery stage and that 16 years isn't that long. Then I look at the studies again and begin to get so worried that I can't really enjoy my life.
I know this is a silly thing to worry about, and I could get hit by a car today or live until I'm 100 years old - stranger things have happened right? I guess I don't really know why/what I'm asking, because no-one can assure anyone that they will have a long life. But what can someone like me expect in the long term?
I guess, as well, I just wanted somewhere to voice my worries and fears.
Best wishes