Getting Back to Life After TAVR

Enjoy Your Golden Years Without Severe Aortic Stenosis

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) gives severe aortic stenosis patients a way to live their best lives. Research has shown that patients who undergo the less invasive TAVR procedure see health improvements within 30 days.1 This means more freedom to do more of what you love.

Other benefits include:

  • Relief of symptoms

  • Ability to take care of themselves

  • Improved heart function

  • Return to everyday activities

As with any medical procedure, there is a possibility of risks. The most serious risks of TAVR include death, stroke, serious damage to the arteries, or serious bleeding.

Your TAVR Doctor can provide information on what your recovery may be like and what to expect after your procedure.

Generally following a TAVR procedure, you may be taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) for a little while or moved directly to a recovery room. Your TAVR Doctor will update your caregiver or loved ones on how you are doing.

Talk to your doctor about how long visitors may be expected to wait before seeing you as well as when you can expect to transition to home care.

Getting Back Out There Following TAVR

Your second act is waiting. Are you ready? Now that you’ve put your severe aortic stenosis behind you, it’s time to look to the road ahead.

Your TAVR Doctor will give you specific instructions to help you with your TAVR procedure recovery, which may include a special diet, exercise, and medication. It is important to carefully follow your doctor’s directions, especially if blood-thinning drugs are prescribed.

Here are some questions you may want to ask regarding your after care:

  • How soon can I get back to my day-to-day activities?
  • When can I increase my level of physical activity?
  • Are there activities I should avoid?
  • Can I drive?

Embracing Life with Your Caregivers

With the less invasive TAVR, comes less downtime following the procedure. While each person’s recovery from TAVR may be different, it is still important to turn to caregivers for support as you get back to life.

Talk with your caregiver about what you need and how he or she can support you as you write your second act.

Staying in Touch with Your Doctor 

Life after TAVR can be exciting. But there are some important things to keep in mind after your procedure:

  • You will need to take some steps to help your incision site heal.
  • You may have aches and pains, which is a normal part of the healing process. Your TAVR Doctor may prescribe medication to help.
  • Make sure you continue your breathing and coughing exercises to keep your lungs clear and prevent complications.

Your TAVR Doctor will provide specific follow-up care instructions for you, which may include cardiac care rehabilitation. Your doctor will let you know if you need this extra support after your TAVR procedure.

Follow up care visits will also be scheduled with either your TAVR Doctor or your general cardiologist. If your follow-up care is with your TAVR Doctor who performed your TAVR, it is important to reach out to your general cardiologist to let them know how the procedure went.

As you get back to life, it is important to call or see your doctor whenever you have questions or concerns, especially if you experience any unusual problems such as bleeding, pain, other discomfort, or changes in your overall health.

Finding Support as You Embrace Life After TAVR

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References

  1. PARTNER 3 trial, low-risk cohort unadjusted clinical event rates, AT population.