HomeChest Pain Information CenterHeart Information Center

Recovery Period For Mitral Valve Regurgitation

Acute and chronic mitral regurgitation (MR) affects about 5-10,000 people living in United States. Mitral valve regurgitation is the second most common valvular heart disease. The normal recovery period for mitral valve surgery is 4 to 8 weeks but it can change according to the type of procedure and development of complications. Until 6 weeks you need rest and you should not lift any heavy object or do activities that can strain your heart. Can start with your normal activities after about 6 weeks, however, until about 2 months you will feel bit tired and less energetic.

Recovery period of asymptomatic patients differs, but at some point, of their life they will be symptomatic and will need surgery. If you are symptomatic and had developed complications you will need surgery to treat the mitral valve regurgitation. your cardiologist will decide when you need surgery and the type of surgery.

The below recovery time period is following mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement surgery.

Soon after surgery you will be admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) and you will be still under anesthesia and breathing with the help of the ventilator. You will be connected to several monitors and the necessary medication especially pain medication will be given intravenously. You will have a one to one nursing care and your parameters are monitored and recorded. If you have any additional conditions necessary care would be provided.

Once your heart function is stable, if all your parameters are optimal and it is confirmed that you are not bleeding you will be taken off the ventilator. Usually this is done on the night of the surgery in many patients but if any complication develop it would be delayed. You will stay in the CICU for about 2 to 3 days and afterwards you will be transferred to a hospital room or ward. After about 5 to 7 days if everything is fine you can will be discharged from the hospital, however, your doctor will decide when you can be discharged as the mitral valve regurgitation recovery period of each individual is different.

You will feel sore and some pain in the chest, arms, and shoulders and this will go away in about 4 to 6 weeks. Until 6 weeks past you should not lift any heavy objects, do activities that strain your heart. Have some rest and just do simple tasks which require minimum energy. Before discharge activities such as sitting, walking, and climbing stairs will be initiated you can continue those gradually increasing the duration and pace. After 6 weeks you can start with your usual activities with your doctor’s approval. Initially mitral valve regurgitation patient will feel tired but it will go away in 1 or 2 months. Try to avoid lifting heavy objects for about 12 weeks as the sternum healing requires about 6 to 12 weeks.

You will be started on a liquid based diet in the hospital then gradually solids will be introduced. At home have a balanced diet, but cut down refined sugars, simple carbohydrates, saturated fat and extra salt.

The normal recovery period for mitral valve surgery is 4 to 8 weeks, but it can change according to the type of procedure and development of complications.

Acute and chronic mitral regurgitation (MR) affects about 5-10,000 people living in United States. Mitral valve regurgitation is the second most common valvular heart disease, whereas the most common valvular heart disease is aortic stenosis. In developed countries the most common cause for mitral valve regurgitation is myxomatous degeneration of the mitral valve but in developing countries it’s rheumatic heart disease. In 4% of the normal population mitral valve prolapse is present.

A study done on the incidence of the different types of valvular heart diseases in India showed isolated mitral valve regurgitation is the most common valvular heart disease (26.6%). The predominant cause was rheumatic heart disease (41.1%) and secondly due to mitral valve prolapse (40.8%). The higher rates of mitral valve disease can be due to the more case of rheumatic heart disease in India. Mitral valve regurgitation was seen more in females and the peak incidence of mitral valve regurgitation was in the second decade.

Also Read:

Recovery Period For Mitral Valve Regurgitation