Heart valve replacement

[Trevor W]

<font color='#3BB9FF'>Two weeks ago I felt a bit out of breath after a dive and had trouble hauling my gear in the back of the van. As I was planning a dive trip to Puerto Galera in a couple of weeks I thought a visit to the doc. was in order for a few anti-biotics for what I thought was probably a chest infection. However, he whipped me back to the UK straight away (I was in Saudi) and I am now the none too chuffed possessor of a brand new heart vavlve (tissue, not mechanical) The consultant seemed to think there was no real reason why I shouldn't eventually dive again but as I feel like shit and am breathless after a three minute walk I'm not so convinced! &nbsp;Has anyone else had this done? I'm 49, a non-smoker and up to this would have said I was in pretty good nick.
Don't be shy, share your experiences if you have any.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Many thanks,
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Trevor

[Fee]

Hi trev

Sorry to hear about your experience. &nbsp;I am not a diving medicine doctor, so I can't coment about the being able to dive, but I can tell you that you have had a big op and it is going to take you some time to recover. &nbsp;Build your exercise tolerance up gradually, and there is no reason on the basis of what you have said here that you shouldn't be back to normal within a couple of months. &nbsp;Remember the sea bottom will still be there later this year/ next year!

One good thing though - as you have a tissue valve rather than a prosthetic valve you won't need to be on lifelong warfarin - AIUI that can be a problem with diving.

I would suggest that when your exercise tolerance has improved you see a diving medicine doctor for an OK from someone in the know with all the facts before them.

HTH

Good luck mate

Fee

[Trevor W]

<font color='#3BB9FF'>Thanks Fee,
I delibrately went for the tissue valve rather than the mechanical one for that reason i.e. I didn't fancy a dose of rat poison for the rest of my life! &nbsp;The consultant also said that with the mechanical valve I wouldn't be able to dive deeper than 15 metres which is no use to me.
As you &nbsp;say all I can do is be patient and hope for the best.
&nbsp; &nbsp;Cheers
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Trevor

[angleseydiver]

<font color='#000080'>Get well soon Trevor, must have been a real scare expecting a couple of pills and ending up with heart-surgery. On the bright side at least it was nipped in the bud.
&nbsp; &nbsp; All the best,
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Terry

[Trevor W]

Cheers Terry,
&nbsp; Yes it was a bit of a shock to say the least. I had a lot planned for the rest of the year too. &nbsp;Ah well, with luck I'll be back in the water '04