Can you lead a normal life after heart valve replacement?
Lily Fisher
Updated on April 15, 2026
After a heart valve repair or replacement, can the patient live a regular long life? What is the lifespan associated with heart valve surgery?” My response to Valerie first question is a confident… “Yes!” Patient's can live a regular, long life after heart valve repair and heart valve replacement surgery.
Can you live a normal life after heart valve replacement?
Each year in the United States, more than five million Americans are diagnosed with heart valve disease, which occurs when one or more heart valves are not opening or closing properly.Does valve replacement shorten your life?
Patients who have undergone surgical replacement of the heart's aortic valve have a shorter life expectancy than the normal population, the loss in life expectancy being particularly marked in the young.How long can you live with artificial heart valves?
If your heart was already working poorly before your valve was replaced, you may still have heart problems. Mechanical valves don't usually wear out. They usually last 20 years or more. Other problems might happen with the valve, such as an infection.Can you live a full life with a mechanical heart valve?
Mechanical valves can last a lifetime, but they come with increased risks of blood clotting and bleeding, as well as the need to take the blood-thinning medication warfarin.Life After Heart Valve Replacement Surgery
Can you live 20 years after aortic valve replacement?
What did it find? Pooled data from 85 studies estimated that 89.7% of people survived for two years after surgery, 78.4% at five years, 57.0% at 10 years, 39.7% at 15 years, and 24.7% at 20 years.How long does a valve replacement last?
Tissue ValveTissue valves can last 10 to 20 years, and usually don't require the long-term use of medication. For a young person with a tissue valve replacement, the need for additional surgery or another valve replacement later in life is highly likely.
Do you feel better after heart valve replacement?
You'll likely begin to feel better almost right away. Your condition will improve gradually, and you'll notice that each day you'll feel a little bit better. However, you'll have to make some lifestyle adjustments to get the most out of your new or repaired heart valve.How serious is a heart valve replacement?
An aortic valve replacement is a major operation and occasionally the complications can be fatal. Overall, the risk of dying as a result of the procedure is estimated to be 2%. But this risk is far lower than the risk associated with leaving severe aortic disease untreated.How long does it take to fully recover from open-heart surgery valve replacement?
After an aortic valve replacement, you'll usually need to stay in hospital for about a week. The time it takes to fully recover varies depending on factors like your age and overall health. Your breastbone will usually heal in about 6 to 8 weeks, but it may be 2 to 3 months before you feel your normal self again.How many times can a heart valve be replaced?
Tissue valves.Most will need to be replaced in 10 to 20 years. The tissue can be taken from animals or cadavers. A third option is the Ross procedure, a surgery that replaces a defective aortic valve with the patient's own pulmonary valve.