The heart pumps blood in only one direction and to ensure smooth flow of blood through the heart, we have valves. Basically, four valves are present in the heart: pulmonary, tricuspid, mitral and aortic, with each responsible to ensure that the blood flows in the right direction. Heart Valve Surgery is required when one of these valves does not function efficiently. Let us understand these better in the light of most frequently asked questions about heart valve surgery

Why heart valve surgery is needed?

When one or more valve gets damaged or diseased, it starts affecting the blood flow in two ways: A. Valve stenosis: In this situation, the valve fails to open fully and hence, obstructs the blood flow.

B. Valve incompetence: Inthis state, the valve is not able to close properly which leads to a backward flow of blood.Disorder or damage to the heart valves may also take place due to other diseases such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart attack, congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathy. These disorders are known as heart valve diseases and once they start affecting the functioning, heart surgery might be needed.

How many types of heart valve surgeries are there and which type is needed for a particular patient?

Though many people are advised no or little treatment for heart valve disease, some may require surgery for the same. The damaged or diseased valve can be cured with the help of two treatments:

A. Traditional heart valve surgery i.e. surgical procedure

B. Balloon valvuloplasty i.e. non - a surgical procedure

The valve surgery could be done in two ways:

When there is no serious damage to the mitral valves (have become leaky and floppy), present valves are only repaired and not replaced.
When the present valves are seriously damaged and replacement with a newer one is required, valve replacement surgery is conducted. The most commonly found replacement valves are tissue valves and mechanical valves.

Whether the heart valves need to be only repaired or should be replaced depends on the following factors:

how many of them are affected?
how badly they are damaged?
which one is injured the most?
the reasons for the problem
general health of the patient

Also, read about Hole in Heart Symptoms amongst children.

What are the risks of heart valve surgery?

Associated possible risk of heart valve surgery include:

Bleeding during or after the operation
Infection
Breathing problems
Abnormal heart rhythm
Pneumonia
Blood clots which may lead to stroke, heart failure or lung problems

What are the benefits of heart valve surgery?

For most of the people, the surgery proves beneficial as it greatly improves the quality of life and the occurrence of symptoms.

Is there a need to follow medication afterward?

If a mechanical valve is replaced by the affected one then the patient has to take an anticoagulant medicine for the rest of his life. As the valve is made of artificial material, it enhances the risk of a blood clot on the surface of the valve and thus medicines are a must. If the tissue valve is replaced then the medicines are to be taken only for a few days to a few months. To learn more about the heart valve surgery and their effects on our body,you should go to & consult to SRCC hospital. Also, read about Lifestyle Changes for a Healthy Heart [author title="Dr. K.Roshan Rao" image="https://cdn.credihealth.com/system/images/assets/21530/original/k-roshan-rao-cardiologist.jpg?1516615052"]Dr. K.Roshan Rao is a Cardiologist at Apollo Hospitals, Vijay Nagar, Indore. He has an experience of 16 years in this field. He completed MBBS, MD from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur and DM - Cardiology from LPS Institute Of Cardiology. Some of the services provided by the doctor are: Mitral/Heart Valve Replacement,Aortic Anuerysm Surgery / Endovascular Repair,Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) and PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Interventions) etc. [button color="blue" size="medium" link="https://www.credihealth.com/request_callback"" target="true"]Book Appointment[/button][/author]