[dhunter_mn]

I can't give you direct knowledge, but my brother had two artificial heart valves. He needed them due to a virus he contracted while in the army, either in Korea or Viet Nam in the mid-60s. He became ill suddenly in his 20s, had the first valve replaced when he was 27 or 28. The second one was replaced when he was in his 40s. All done by the VA.

His first valve ticked noticeably, but I could not hear it. There were multiple occasions when I was out and about with him, and somebody would comment on the watch-ticking noise. Didn't seem to bother him.

He was on blood thinners and anticoagulants. This made wounds extra concerning, but it didn't seem to affect his quality of life too much.

He passed away in 2021 at the age of 74, due to a series of strokes, quite possibly brought about by the COVID vaccine.

[cordis]

I'm sorry to hear about your brothers passing. That he lived so many years with a mechanical heart valve is very comforting and these were done when the technology was in it's infancy. The first valve he had was probably a caged ball valve, and they are indeed known for being very noisy, mine should be much quieter thankfully.