Arrhythmia after Valve Replacement

I had a mitral valve replacement (St. Jude's) in June, 1998.  The damage was due to Rheumatic Fever in 1976.  When I get tired (from lack of sleep, not exertion), my heart beats very irregularly.  Some beats are louder than others, and there is not an even tempo.  I am on Coumadin and Atenolol (for ongoing tachycardia and moderately high blood pressure), which I take in the morning.  Is this normal?  Should I be taking the Atenolol later in the day?  I still get a-fib occasionally, but this is different.

By the way, I love the click!  I am always assured that my valve is working.  My murmur was very loud (Grade V-VI/VI) so I could hear it all the time also.  I do get strange looks in elevators, where it seems extremely loud.

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

The atenolol is fairly long acting, so taking it in the morning should be OK.I would have guessed that what you describe is afib, but perhaps you are also having PVCs or some other arrhythmia. Since this is new, you should let your doctor know.

[tiffany foxall]

Hi Lisa my name is Tiffany and we have a an awful lot in common. I too had a Mitral valve replacement at the age of 17 ( I am now 18). I was wondering how old you were at the time of your surgery. Please reply as soon as possible.

[Hank Eyring]

Hello There Lisa,

I am writing you to let you know about a list that myself and several other Heart Valve Replacement patients have created.

I am a 33 year old male who had aortic valve replacement surgery in April of 1999.  I often had questions about stuff like what do other people