Heart Valve Surgery Recovery: What To Expect

If you’re having heart valve replacement (aortic valve replacement) surgery, you may be curious about the healing process — and how soon you’ll be back to your old self.

The heart valve replacement recovery process is often faster and more straightforward than you might think, given the seriousness of the surgery. Still, it does take some time and patience.

Interventional cardiologist Grant Reed, MD, walks us through the process.

Recovering from heart valve surgery

The average recovery time for heart valve replacement surgery depends on:

• Your age and overall health: Some chronic conditions — like diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — make healing from heart surgery more complex. Ditto if you’ve had more than one valve replaced or had another procedure (like an aneurysm repair) at the same time.
• The procedure you had: There are two options for replacing an aortic valve that’s no longer working. Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is an open heart surgery, while transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive approach that uses a catheter to deliver the new valve. TAVR typically has a shorter healing time than SAVR.
• Your support system: We’re not just talking about the quality of the post-op care you get in the hospital. It also depends on how much help you have at home, follow-up care and whether you have access to cardiac rehabilitation.

Your post-op experience may be unique, but everyone who has heart valve replacement surgery is working toward the same basic goals:

• A safe healing process that’s free of complications
• The strength to start (or resume) a heart-healthy fitness routine
• A return to daily life as you knew it before — hopefully with more energy and fewer symptoms
• A lower risk of heart problems going forward

“We work with you after the procedure to make sure you’re comfortable. And we’ll take steps to help you get back on your feet and live a normal life as fast as possible,” Dr. Reed reassures.

In-hospital recovery

Whatever type of heart valve replacement you have, the healing process will begin at the hospital and be managed by your cardiac care team.

If you’re having SAVR, you’ll be placed under general anesthesia. A TAVR procedure could happen under conscious sedation or general anesthesia. In both cases, you’ll be watched throughout the surgery — and monitored closely while the sedation wears off.

After SAVR, Dr. Reed says most people spend about 24 hours in the intensive care unit (ICU) before being moved to a normal room. A post-SAVR hospital stay typically lasts three to seven days.

“You’re encouraged to get up and move as soon as it’s safe,” he adds. “Getting moving after surgery can help prevent complications and boost healing.”

With TAVR, you’re usually discharged from the hospital the next day. Some people even go home that same day.

Whatever surgery you have, your care team will want to be sure you have the help you need at home before they release you. If you live alone, they may order home health or suggest going to a rehab facility. Their goal? To keep you safe during the next phase of your recovery.

Recovering at home

Once you’re home, patience becomes key. Healing is a gradual process, and you can expect to be sore and tired. The recovery process for TAVR is often faster and less intense, but make no mistake: It’s still a big deal.

“Mild pain and fatigue are common early on for both procedures,” Dr. Reed explains. “The key is staying ahead of the pain and not trying to do too much too fast.”

Expect to take at least two weeks off work, regardless of the surgery you have and how well you’re doing. If you have a job that involves travel or manual labor, you’ll likely need more time. You’ll spend your days at home resting and doing light physical activities — like short walks — to regain your stamina.

In the weeks following your surgery, it’s important to:

• Eat heart-healthy foods.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Stay hydrated.
• Care for your incision as instructed.
• Watch for complications.

Dr. Reed also urges you to take pain medication as directed by your provider. Pain can interfere with healing by making it harder to rest, move and even breathe. And the last thing you want to do is let discomfort slow down the healing process.

“It's vital to stay in front of the pain,” he emphasizes.

Restrictions after heart valve surgery

In the early phases of recovery from heart valve replacement surgery, you’ll be asked to avoid activities like lifting, pushing, pulling and driving. That can be frustrating because you may start feeling the benefits of your new valve quickly after the surgery.

“Most people are surprised by how much better they feel within a few weeks — and they often want to get back to normal right away,” Dr. Reed observes. “But overdoing it can set you back.”

Once your care team feels it’s safe (often within four to six weeks), you’ll start cardiac rehabilitation. This supervised program will help you get stronger safely and give you the education you need to continue your recovery at home by yourself.

“Cardiac rehabilitation can serve as a kind of springboard into an exercise program,” he notes.

If cardiac rehabilitation isn’t offered in your area, talk to your care team about your options.

Long-term recovery

Your provider is the best person to ask about your post-op timeline because they can tailor their response to you. Typical heart valve replacement recovery times look something like this:

Both procedures have extremely high success rates. And even if you didn’t have noticeable symptoms before SAVR or TAVR, having a healthy aortic valve can be a real game-changer.

“Many people notice real improvements within a few weeks,” Dr. Reed says. For example, you may notice that you have more energy. Activities like breathing, exercising and even sleeping will likely get easier with time, too.

Recovering from surgery is never fun. But in the case of SAVR and TAVR, the results are often worth it. Replacing a damaged aortic valve could add years to your life — and help you live them more comfortably.