Roberto Haddad - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

157 days ago

Hello all - I have porcine aortic valve which is failing and am looking at mechanical vs. another bio-prosthetic valve.

Anyone with a mechanical valve ...Read more

Hello all - I have porcine aortic valve which is failing and am looking at mechanical vs. another bio-prosthetic valve.

Anyone with a mechanical valve have recommendations? I am very worried about living with warfarin, stroke risk, and potential for hearing the valve (does it affect your sleep)?

Bernie Ofczarzak You're still young bro. I was 57 when I chose my one, a bovine bioprosthetic, because I did not wa... Read more

Bernie Ofczarzak You're still young bro. I was 57 when I chose my one, a bovine bioprosthetic, because I did not want to be on blood thinners. So, if I can get 10-20 years out of mine.... then great. If I have to do a replacement later on in life, as an even older man I'll probably do bioprosthetic again. As young as you are, another bioprosthetic valve may mean you might need to do another replacement later. Tough call buddy.

Rita Savelis I don't hear my mechanical valves unless it is very very very quiet (rarely). The "ticking" others ta ... Read more

Rita Savelis I don't hear my mechanical valves unless it is very very very quiet (rarely). The "ticking" others talk and worry about has never been an issue for me. It certainly does not affect my sleep at all, although my husband's snoring does and I have taken to moving to the couch for some peace. I've taken anticoagulants for the 9 years I've had my 2 mechanical valves and they take some getting used to and then no problem. I eat what I like and test about once a month and manage my own meds. I admit to not thinking about stroke risk or any risks because I've had triple valve heart surgery and cancer and loads of other things and you just keep moving forward. There are risks with absolutely everything. My choice of mechanical valves was because my heart was damaged from radiation treatment for cancer as a teenager. With a stenosed heart and tissues weakened by radiation it's better to have surgery only one time if it can be managed. Whatever choice you make will be the right one for you at the time. There is no right choice and every valve has its positives and negatives. It's hard for everyone to make a decision. And then they do. Take care. And I'm sorry that you have to have surgery again.