SURGERY VALVE REPLACEMENT RECOVERY
Having a heart valve replaced may cause the patient to think that they may need to greatly change their lifestyle. Instead, as the recovery progresses, the person will probably feel much better physically with continued improvement several weeks or months after the surgery. As recovery begins from the surgery, please talk to your doctor about when daily activities can be resumed.
EXERCISE
Ask your doctor about what kinds of activities and sports you should avoid. Report any falls, blows to the body or head, or other injuries to your doctor right away.
TRAVEL
After recovery, the patient should be able to enjoy traveling. Remember, however, that certain destinations may harbor bacteria and other microbes that could be dangerous for the heart. Talk with your doctor if you're planning a trip.
It's a good idea to carry a form of identification (a card, necklace, or bracelet) that states the presence of an artificial heart valve, in case of emergency. Medtronic offers free registration service to all heart valve patients regardless of what type of heart valve replacement they have.
After registering, the patient will receive a free identification card that tells other people they have an implanted device. This can be important information for medical personnel in case of an emergency.
DENTAL AND MEDICAL PROCEDURES and Hygiene
Tell your dentist or other doctors that care for you about the heart valve surgery. The patient may have to take antibiotics before performing dental work or even routine cleanings. This is because bacteria can be dislodged from the teeth and travel to the heart valve, causing an infection.
If the patient is on anticoagulant (anti-clotting) medication, take special care when shaving and when brushing and flossing the teeth. Use only a soft toothbrush and floss very gently. A general recommendation is to use an electric razor rather than a blade.
ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY
The new heart valve can be used with cell phones, electric toothbrushes, and magnets. These items are not known to cause problems with Medtronic heart valves.
Medtronic heart valves are compatible with x-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations under specific conditions.
The patient may go through airport security after the heart valve replacement. Medtronic heart valve products should not activate airport security alarms, depending on the sensitivity of the security system settings.