Always keep your scheduled appointments. Some patients have indicated that they hear a clicking sound during quiet or restful times. This sound is actually the sound of the mechanical valve leaflets closing. This sound is heard by some patients and not others. Each patient's anatomy and physiology affects the quality of the sound.
Mechanical valves sound differently in each patient.
If your valve is new and you are noticing this different sound, understand that many patients grow accustomed to the sound with time. There is some comfort in knowing that if you hear the sound, you can be assured that the valve is working properly and keeping you alive. Studies have shown that the valve will not wear out during the patient's lifetime. However, if there are problems with blood clot formation, the valve may need to be replaced. But a tissue valve, which is composed of living tissue, may have a shorter life span than a mechanical valve.