Heart Valve Replacement at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi

The total recovery period can take about three months or longer and you will need to take things easy at first and gradually increase your activity level. You should be able to drive within six weeks, have sex after four to six weeks, and return to work in six to eight weeks if your job involves light work. Avoid any intense exercises, such as heavy lifting, for three months.

Heart valve replacement is generally safe, efficient, and highly successful. The risk of dying as a result of heart valve replacement is as low as 1% to 3%. However, you need to be aware of the side effects and risks before you choose to undergo the procedure, which may include excessive bleeding, infection, blood clots, stroke, the new valve wears out (biological valve replacement), heart attack, irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia (affects about 25% of people), and kidney problems.