Shortness Of Breath After Heart Valve Replacement

Usually after a heart valve replacement surgery, you will feel much better and as you recover from the procedure, you can go back to your normal life. However, there are some patients who still complain of shortness of breath after heart valve replacement surgery.

Shortness of breath after heart valve replacement surgery can be due to many factors. One of the main reasons that a person continues to get this symptom is due t the severe damage caused to the heart before the surgery. In addition, shortness of breath after the surgery can occur due to pulmonary embolism, decreased functioning of the heart, accumulation of fluid around the heart or the lung cavity or accumulation of air in the pneumothorax region of the chest.

Shortness of breath after heart valve replacement surgery also occurs due to bleeding or infection during the surgical procedure, formation of blood clot due to the new heart valve, infection in the new heart valve, or failure of the new heart valve.

If you suffer from shortness of breath after heart valve replacement surgery, you should immediately bring this symptom to your doctor's notice. He will then perform tests and examinations to find out the source of the problem and proper corrective measures will be taken.

Remember, when bovine valves are used, they tend to start failing after 8 to 10 years. This means that you can get shortness of breath a decade after the surgery. If this happens, you will require a new heart valve replacement surgery so that the old worn out valve is replaced with a new one.

More Articles :

Shortness Of Breath After Heart Valve Replacement