Heart Valve leakage

I have 6 stents, never a heart attack. Heart murmur and leaking valve. Stopped smoking one year ago. Extra 25 # from stopping smoking. 5', 163#. will be 67 July 4th 2010. Tachy cardia. Very hard to keep pulse rate below 100.  Was on Lopressor, 50mg BID, then put on Verapamil 240mg qd. Very short of breath with slight exertion. Constantly exhaling. Lung test year ago was fine. Lopressor does have a problem with lung function? Near future open heart surgery to repair valve. Do you think I will live through it? What are odds at my age. Seems I quit smoking and went down the tubes. Not the golden years now it is the years of the rust!
Also, diabetic controlled, hyperthyroidism somewhat controlled. Your opinion would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Dee

[Cleveland Clinic]

Most likely both the tachycardia and shortness of breath on mild exertion are due to the valve leakage. Lopressor does not usually affect lung unction unless one has history of reactive airway disease such as asthma.
You are fairly young and should not be concerned about your age being prohibitive for open heart surgery.