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    Heart Valve Answers

    Heart Valve Repair and Replacement

    Promoting a Healthy Recovery

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    It is important to understand how the body heals after having open heart surgery for a heart valve repair or replacement. You can speed up your recovery by making healthy lifestyle choices, managing your medications and watching for signs of complications.

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    Learn About Anticoagulants (Blood Thinners)

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    Anticoagulants (Blood Thinners)


    Post-surgical Care

    Following your surgery, you will typically spend two days in the intensive care unit (ICU) before being moved to a cardiac medical-surgical floor. Your health care team will monitor your progress and give you instructions to follow in the hospital and at home to help accelerate recovery.

    Learn More About Post-surgical Care 

    Anticoagulation Medication

    You should understand how to manage your anticoagulation medication to prevent blood clots from forming on your new heart valve.

    Learn More About Anticoagulation Medication 

    Recovery Guidelines 

    To promote a healthy recovery, follow your doctor’s advice and be aware of the activities you should and should not do.

    Review Our Recovery Guidelines 

    Managing Other Medications

    You will need to take all of your medications as prescribed and understand what each one does. Consult your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications or herbal supplements.

    Read About Managing Other Medications 

    Understanding and Preventing Complications

    After your procedure, you will need to understand how to prevent or recognize signs of complications. This will include caring for your incision, preventing fluid retention and infection and understanding possible side effects of anticoagulation medication.

    Understand and Prevent Complications 

    Last Reviewed: January 19, 2010 2506

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