Just had aortic valve replacement with St. Judes!

  Hi!  Over the past few months I have gotten wonderful information at this site in anticipation of my surgery.  Now I have a few items of interest and questions regarding consistency and experience post surgery.  My surgery was 2-1/2 weeks ago.  I am now walking 2 miles a day (weather pretty cooperative).  I have my incentive spirometer up to 2000 and 2500 is the top.  Although I do like to sleep at night, my general daily fatigue level has dropped, and my energy last longer.  My chest does not cause a great deal of discomfort any longer--never did a lot as I took very little pain medication all along.  Even though I am small, I can rarely hear the valve--only when very quiet and then rather muffled.  I still do have a good bit of breathlessness or short-breath, usually only on exertion.  I also occasionally feel skipped or extra beats.  In addition to coumadin (dosage being regulated), I am taking low dosages of digoxin and metoprolol which I understand are basically CHF medication.  I have been told that time and walking will take care of the breathing.  Is this true?  How long will I generally be taking the digoxin and metoprolol.  Am I at, ahead of, or behind the curve for recovery compared to others.  Still cannot drive or lift, but regularly go upstairs in our house and without a great deal of breathlessness.  All in all, compared to others, how am I doing and what should I expect?  I am not particularly patient, but at least recovery has been or seems to be steadily progressive.  Thanks for any advice or information you can provide!
  Susan

[CCF CARDIO MD DLB]

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Dear Susan
You seem to be doing well for this stage of things. I would say you are right on track.
The medications you are discharged on are usually continued for 4 to 6 weeks. After that time point, it depends on how you are doing.
The breathlessness should get better in the next couple of weeks. The fact that you can go up the stairs without getting short of breath is a good sign. If it gets worse, you should let your doctor know right away.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.   The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.