Is surgery better for me than medication alone?
Medications often help during the first stages of valve disease, but they don't work as well as the disease gets worse. You don’t need to wait until your symptoms become unbearable before you have surgery. In some cases, it’s best to have surgery before symptoms start. The decision to have surgery is a major one that’s based on your individual needs. It involves input from you, your cardiologist and your surgeon.
Is a heart valve replacement major surgery?
Yes, a heart valve replacement is considered major surgery. However, it may seem less intimidating if you have a minimally invasive type of surgery, which is common.
How long will my valve last?
The amount of time your valve repair or replacement lasts depends on several things:
- Age.
- Whether you have heart valve repair or replacement.
- The type of valve you have placed (for heart valve replacement).
Mechanical valves rarely wear out, but they may need replacement if a blood clot, infection or tissue growth keeps them from working right. Biological valves may need to be replaced, especially if you’re younger.
Will I need to take blood-thinning medication (anticoagulants) after surgery?
The need for anticoagulant medication (blood thinners) after surgery depends on the type of surgery you have. The medication prevents blood clots from forming and causing problems with your heart valve. Currently, warfarin is the only approved blood thinner for mechanical heart valves.
If you have a mechanical heart valve, you’ll need to take this medication for the rest of your life.
If you have valve repair or a biological valve replacement, you may need to take this medication for several weeks after surgery, or maybe not at all.
You may need to take an anticoagulant for a condition not related to your heart valves. This medication also treats:
- An irregular heartbeat.
- An enlarged heart.
- A weakened heart.
- Peoplewith a history of blood clots.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
After talking with you, your surgeon will choose the best option for your heart valve surgery. Once you know what type of surgery you’ll have, you can rally your family and friends to help. You may not be allowed to bend and lift after surgery for a while. Ask people to help you with housework and meal preparation so you can focus on recovering. You can also prepare and freeze meals before your surgery so you can just reheat them while you heal.
FAQs
Sometimes, doctors place a biological tissue valve into an existing one that no longer works. TAVR uses small surgery cuts and a flexible, hollow tube called a catheter to reach the heart. It's different from open-heart surgery to replace the aortic valve. That surgery requires a long cut down the chest.
How serious is heart valve repair surgery? ›
Valve repair or replacement is generally safe. However, as with any surgery or procedure, complications can occur. Possible risks associated with treatment include: Bleeding during or after treatment or damage to the blood vessels.
Is heart valve replacement considered major surgery? ›
Yes, a heart valve replacement is considered major surgery. However, it may seem less intimidating if you have a minimally invasive type of surgery, which is common.
How long does it take to recover from heart valve replacement surgery? ›
The incision in your chest may be sore or swollen. These symptoms usually get better after 4 to 6 weeks. You will probably be able to do many of your usual activities after 4 to 6 weeks. But for at least 6 weeks, you will not be able to lift heavy objects or do activities that strain your chest or upper arm muscles.
Which heart valve is the most difficult to replace? ›
The tricuspid valve is even more challenging: a leaking tricuspid valve is hard to treat both with surgery and with percutaneous treatments. In terms of recovery, open heart surgery will generally mean a one-week stay in hospital and four-to-six weeks of recovery at home.
What is the easiest heart valve to replace? ›
The aortic valve is one of the heart's 4 valves. The valves help blood flow through the heart's 4 chambers and out to your body normally. The surgery is called “minimally invasive” because it uses a smaller incision than a traditional open repair. This may lead to easier and faster recovery from surgery.
What is the life expectancy after valve surgery? ›
Long-Term Survival
For patients approximately 40 years old at the time of surgery, the life expectancy was reduced by 20 years compared to that of general population. This data suggests that a 42-year-old patient undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) with a tissue valve is expected to live to 58 years of age.
What can you not do after heart valve replacement? ›
Avoid strenuous activities, such as bicycle riding, jogging, weight lifting, or heavy aerobic exercise, until your doctor says it is okay. For 3 months, avoid activities that strain your chest or upper arm muscles. This includes pushing a lawn mower or vacuum, mopping floors, or swinging a golf club or tennis racquet.
Who is not a candidate for heart valve replacement? ›
Transcatheter valve replacement is not recommended in previous mitral valve rings that are damaged or have become too rigid.
What is the average age for aortic valve replacement? ›
Average patient age was 53 to 92 years.
Reduce salt, sugar, and alcohol intake. Avoid processed foods, specifically processed meat, e.g., sausage, ham, and bacon. Avoid saturated fat, including animal fat, coconut, and palm oils.
Do you need cardiac rehab after valve replacement? ›
Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for patients who have had heart valve surgery. Analysis of data shows that CR increases exercise capacity and quality of life, and facilitates return to work, with minimal risk of significant adverse effects.
How painful is heart valve replacement surgery? ›
An aortic valve replacement is carried out under general anaesthetic. This means you'll be asleep during the operation and won't feel any pain while it's carried out.
Do you lose weight after heart valve surgery? ›
So you know, not all patients lose weight after heart surgery. I have spoken to a number of patients that have had the exact opposite occur…. They gain weight from fluid retention. Regardless of whether you lose or gain weight, the critical element of surgery is that your heart is fixed and your surgery is successful.
What not to eat after heart valve replacement? ›
What should not eat after heart valve replacement?
- Processed meat. ...
- Foods containing refined carbohydrates. ...
- Tea and coffee. ...
- Alcoholic beverages. ...
- Soft drinks, carbonated drinks. ...
- Do not eat foods with a lot of salt. ...
- Food and medicine containing Vitamin K.
Vessel damage: Passing catheters through your arteries can potentially damage them. The damage is usually repairable through a catheter or with open vascular surgery. Stroke: A small percentage of people undergoing TAVR have developed a stroke, either during the procedure or in the days immediately following it.
What is the life expectancy of a person with TAVR? ›
Median survival time was 10.9 years (95% confidence interval: 10.6-11.2 years) in low-risk, 7.3 years (7.0-7.9 years) in intermediate-risk, and 5.8 years (5.4-6.5 years) in high-risk patients. The 5-year cumulative mortality was 16.5% (15.5%-17.4%), 30.7% (27.5%-33.7%), and 43.0% (36.8%-48.7%), respectively.
What is the most common complication of TAVR? ›
Conduction abnormalities requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation and development of new left bundle branch block (LBBB) remain the most common TAVR complications.
What is the average age for a TAVR procedure? ›
As suggested by previous studies, the mean age of patients undergoing a TAVI procedure is approximately 80 years, regardless of the risk status for surgery. This elderly population is likely to have many comorbid conditions, which may increase the morbidity and mortality in the long-term.
