For how long will you have shortness of breath after heart surgery for mitral valve repair if cardiologist says echo looks after surgery.

6 months to health: You had mitral surgery repair. The recovery for shortness of breath right after surgery is about 1-2 weeks. You will get your strength back by walking. It will take 6 months to recover and have your heart in good shape for a 21 year old. Hope this helps and remember everyone is different.

Post op: If the mitral valve repair was successful, the shortness of breath if due to the mitral regurgitation should be improved post op and get gradually better over the next 6 weeks. The timing will vary depending on the state of the heart and other physical characteristics.