Kim's Posts

I can't comment on the ticking or blood thinners but I am going for mechanical. I really don't like the idea of having to go through another replacement in the future. One is more than enough! I'm due to get the On-X valve which allows a lower INR (i.e. less thinning). It's a tricky choice. I'm sure others can give you more insight into life with a mechanical valve. Best of luck!

I opted for tissue and at the time of surgery I was 59 and he said it was my choice. Like you didn't want to deal with blood thinners. I know with the valve I chose I can have a TAVR in the future. It is truely a decision that is hard to make. One day after reading more about all options I said tissue. Happy with my choice.

It's one of the toughest choices you'll ever have to make. I was 59 when I had surgery and chose tissue. Do what research you can. It's a choice that only you can make and no matter what you choose, it will be the best choice for you. God bless you.

Hi, it's definitely a personal choice, and whichever you choose will be perfect for you. I chose mechanical when I was 43 (I'm almost 50 now). I have had 0 issues with anti-coagulants (blood thinner...) other than maybe a few bruises were deeper than I thought, and I might have stabbed my finger once with a paring knife and it took a few minutes to stop the bleeding, but I don't know how deep I actually stabbed myself. Also, I have not changed my diet because of warfarin/coumidin. I do have an On-x valve so I can have the lower INR, but I really feel that gives me the freedom/piece of mind to have a wider range of acceptable blood levels - I don't feel any pressure to keep my blood in a narrow range. I have had a few issues with a heavier monthly flow, but I can't be sure that the blood thinner is the culprit - it may just be aging, according to my doctor. As for the ticking - it's a source of comfort for me. I didn't hear it for a few days after surgery, then it was all I could hear, like I was fixated on listening to it. It gave me something to count while I had insomnia after surgery, so that's a plus :) Some people can hear it when they're near me, and some can't. I'm at the point now where sometimes I really have to struggle to hear it. If there's any kind of background noise - a computer fan, road traffic, etc, I have difficulty isolating the tick tock. Just now I tested it, and it took me moving to 3 different positions and about 15 seconds to isolate the ticking. There's a computer, a ceiling fan, and a very quiet aquarium pump running. My husband just said he can barely hear it, and if he didn't know what it was he wouldn't hear it. I wish you luck on your decision - I know it's a big deal so don't take it lightly, and know that either choice has it's pros and cons. The thing that sealed the deal for me at age 43 was knowing that choosing a tissue valve guaranteed at least one additional heart surgery and I didn't want to go through all that again. Choose one, and be at peace with your choice, I'm thinking of you tonight! -Meredith Clearwater, FL

It's a personal choice and no choice is a perfect one. But whichever one you choose will be right for you. I have 2 mechancal valves (aortic and mitral) that I got 6 years ago when I was 53. It was my only real option as my heart was damaged by childhood radiation and multiple surgeries are not recommended. Of course I was disappointed but I am fine. The "ticking" is not something that bothers me. I only hear it if the room is very very quiet. Many people hear their hearts beating much more strongly after OHS no matter what kind of valve. Anticoagulants take getting used to, and then you're used to them. I eat what I want and test about once a month and life goes on with another pill to take with dinner. That said, it took awhile to stablilise and I was so worried that first year. I no longer think about it, but whenever I have surgery or invasive procedures these dqys I have to lower my anticoagulants and be on an intravenous or injection version of anticoagulants for a few days. I have a high targer INR because of my 2 valve with a wide range. I take a high dose of anticoagulants which is not the case for most, but I still have no real complaints. Again, it took me some time to relax about it all. You are very young and I feel for you in this cardiac world where many patients are older and decisions are easier for them.Take care.

I woke up ftom surgery hearing ticking. I hear it every day but it's getting easier to live with. I'm 13 months out fto surgery. The only con I have is that I can no longer eat the dark green veggies I love. They have too much Vitamin k. Must limit Vitamin k if on blood thinners.

I was 55 and I chose a tissue, that was 4 years ago. I also had issues with hearing the ticking and being a bit obsessive, I felt that it would drive me nuts if it changed noises. Also, I didnt want to deal with blood thinners so young. My surgeon and I spoke about it at length and though he said it was my choice, his opinion was that hoping I would live a long life, the chances of a blood thinner event would get more as I got older and the risk of another surgery even if OHS, is around 1-2%. I'm hoping my valve lasts 10-15 years and I can have a TAVR also at that time and that newer valves can even last longer. Its a very difficult and personal decision that I know weighed very heavy on me, but, I did choose the tissue and have been happy. Best of luck to you.

Hi Kim , I was 57 when I had my aortic valve replacement. I chose tissue over Mechanical. I didn’t want to be on blood thinners for the rest of my life and having to get blood test to make sure the levels are good. I also can’t emphasize that tissue valve’s have a expected life of 15 or more years. I am 4 years post surgery and feeling great. You will make the right decision for you. Wishing you all the best.❤️