Heart valve replacement swaps out a damaged valve for a new one—mechanical or tissue. The “symptoms” patients notice are usually post-op healing changes or early warning flags that something isn’t working as planned. Chest soreness is expected. A deep, bruise-like ache along the incision and around the breastbone can spike with coughing, deep breaths, or rolling over; it usually fades over six–eight weeks. New valve sounds are normal. A mechanical click or soft whoosh in your chest is the valve working; sudden loss of the click or return of pre-surgery symptoms is not. Brief heart skips are common. The heart... Learn more