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Question:
What, if anything, can help my son sleep better? He hears the clicking of his valve.
My son is 44 years old now. He was diagnosed with congenital aortic stenosis at TCH at age 5. Followed every year there until he graduated college. At age 25, he had his aortic valve replaced at Boston Children's Hospital. He is being followed every 6 to 12 mos. at Hershey, PA Heart Center. His clicking noise has disturbed him so much during the night that it has become very difficult for him to get a good night's sleep. Do you have any suggestions to help him not hear the clicking noise so he can sleep peacefully? Can he take sleeping pills? Please let me know what he needs to do to improve his sleep. Thank you very much.
submitted by Jane from Houston, Texas on 11/24/2014
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiovascular surgeon, James J. Livesay, MD
Unfortunately the sound of some heart valves can be heard by some patients and can interfere with sleep. Sleep aides such as sound machines or medications can be used. Your son should seek council from his cardiologist. He may require a sleep consultation to evaluate other causes.
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Updated February 2015
