How Serious is Heart Valve Replacement Surgery

A damaged heart valve can disrupt the blood flow which leads to severe complications like heart failure or stroke and without intervention it can be life-threatening.

However, untreated conditions can worsen over time and affect your quality of life.

While heart valve replacement is serious due to the latest advancements the surgery is advanced greatly with a success rate of 98%.

With modern techniques and personalized treatment plans the risk of the surgery is minimized and the recovery is smoother than ever before.

So, what are you waiting for?

Consult with India’s best specialists to explore your options and take the first step toward a healthier heart.

What is Heart Valve Replacement Surgery?

Heart valve replacement surgery is a surgical procedure that helps to treat heart valve disease which occurs when at least one of the four valves doesn't work properly. 

As you know, four valves are the mitral, tricuspid, pulmonary, and aortic valves. Each has flaps called leaflets for the mitral and tricuspid valves and cusps for the aortic and pulmonary valves. Additionally, these flaps open and close during each heartbeat, and valves that don’t open and close properly change blood flow from the heart to the body.

Under the surgery, the surgeon repairs or replaces the damaged or diseased heart valves by using methods such as open-heart surgery or a minimally invasive approach.

However, the type of surgical approach depends on the patient’s age, overall health, and severity of the heart valve condition.

Why is Heart Valve Replacement Surgery Necessary?

Heart valve surgery helps to treat heart valve diseases, and there are two types of diseases which include:

• Valve stenosis
• Vale Regurgitation in which blood flows backward.

However, you need surgery if you have heart valve disease that affects your heart’s ability to pump blood properly and if you don’t have any symptoms then the doctor will suggest regular health checkups, lifestyle changes, and medications that might help you to manage symptoms.

Types of Heart Valve

In heart valve replacement surgery, selecting the appropriate type of valve is crucial and depends on factors such as the patient's age, lifestyle, and medical history. The primary types include:

Biological Valves

Biological valves are made from animal tissues such as:

• Cow tissue (bovine)
• Pig tissue (porcine)
• Human tissue (allografts or homografts)

However, there’s no difference in durability of these types of valves and it typically lasts up to 12 years.

Mechanical Valves

Mechanical valves are made with metal or carbon and work like your own valves. Additionally, the leaflets are the most common type of mechanical valve made with carbon leaflets. Mechanical valves are:

• Well-tolerated.
• Very durable.
• Designed to last a lifetime.

However, the durability and lifespan of mechanical valves is between 40 to 45 years.

How Serious is Heart Valve Replacement Surgery?

Heart valve surgery is a severe operation and like other surgical procedures, some complications can be serious.

However, the risk of death depends on which valve the surgeon needs to operate on, and the survival rate also depends on the patient’s age, yet, older patients have a 5-year lower survival rate compared to younger individuals .

Can a Heart Valve Repair Itself?

No, a heart valve cannot repair itself, and it does not go away on its own it tends to worsen over time. As the condition progresses, your overall health may suffer. However, these changes often occur slowly, but they can also happen very quickly.

What Are the Risks of Heart Valve Replacement Surgery?

Like other medical procedures heart valve replacement surgery also carries some risks and side effects however, it depends on the patient’s age, overall health, and medical history. Complications include:

• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Endocarditis
• Surgical wound infection
• Blood clots
• Further valve damage
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Irregular heartbeat
• Kidney issues

Preparing for Heart Valve Replacement Surgery

The surgical team will discuss your heart valve surgery and ask if you have any specific questions. They will recommend some necessary instructions before surgery which include:

Food and Medications

Before surgery, you will be asked about your medications, any allergies you have, and when to stop eating or drinking.

Clothing and personal items

Before surgery, your healthcare team will suggest to you what you should bring to the hospital which includes:

• A detailed list of the medications that you’re taking.
• Eyeglasses, dentures, or hearing aids.
• Personal care items like comb, brush, shaving kit, etc.
• Comfortable clothes
• A copy of your advice directive which is a legal document containing instructions about the treatment you want.
• Or any other items that make you relax like books.

How long does it take to recover from heart valve surgery?

After heart valve surgery patients need to stay in the hospital for up to 7 days and during this time, someone will likely require assistance with everyday tasks, yet the full recovery takes approx 20 days.

However, if a person has undergone valvuloplasty or TAVI then the recovery time can be shorter and you may go back to your daily activities such as driving, walking, exercising and working, yet you have to follow instructions given by your doctor and don’t rush to the recovery period.

Common side effects:

• Pain and discomfort
• Swelling and redness
• Appetite loss
• Insomnia
• Constipation
• Mood problems.

Recovery from Valve Replacement Surgery

In most cases, stay in the hospital is approx 7 days, but if your surgery was minimally invasive then you might be able to go home earlier. During this period, the medical staff will offer you pain medication as needed and continuously monitor your blood pressure, breathing, and heart function.

Full recovery might take a few months but you will be able to start mild activities after 15 to 20 days which depends on the type of surgery performed.  

There might be some primary risks after surgery so you need to keep your incision site clean and contact your healthcare provider if you experience these symptoms such as:

• Fever
• Chills
• Tenderness or swelling
• Increased drainage from the incision site

When to Resume Usual Activities

First 6 Weeks

In the first 6 weeks, you can start your activities with light housekeeping such as:

• Dusting
• Washing dishes
• Folding clothes
• Light gardening
• potting plants
• Trimming flowers
• Needlework, reading
• Cooking meals
• Climbing stairs
• Small mechanical work
• Shopping
• Attending any particular event like church, movies, or restaurants.
• Passenger in car
• Walking 

After 6 Weeks

You can continue activities for the first week but this time you might be able to tolerate more.

You can also return to your part-time job if it does not require lifting.

You can resume some activities which include:

• Heavy housework such as vacuuming, sweeping, and laundry.
• Heavy gardening
• Ironing
• Business or recreational travel
• Fishing
• Boating
• Light aerobics
• Walking dogs on a leash
• Driving a small car or truck

After 3 Months

After 3 months you will be able to resume more activities as compared to the first 6 weeks or after 6 weeks which include:

• Heavy housework like scrubbing floors.
• Gardening is like digging or shoveling snow.
• Sports like football, tennis, basketball, water skiing, skydiving, hunting.
• Jogging, bicycling, weight lifting
• Motorcycle riding

FAQs

1. What is heart valve replacement surgery?

It's a surgical procedure in which a damaged heart valve is replaced with a mechanical or biological valve to restore normal blood flow.

2. How serious is heart valve replacement surgery?

The seriousness of the procedure depends on the patient's health conditions.

3. What are the risks associated with the surgery?

There are some risks which include bleeding, infection, blood clots, and arrhythmias, yet these complications are relatively uncommon.

4. What types of replacement valves are available?

There are two types of valves available such as biological valves made from animal tissues, which last 12 years and the second one is mechanical valves that last 40-45 years.

5. How long is the recovery period?

The recovery time of the surgery is up to 20 days, yet you need to stay in the hospital for 5 to 7 days.

6. What is the success rate of heart valve replacement surgery?

The success rate of valve replacement surgery is 98%.

7. Are there minimally invasive options?

Yes, there are less invasive techniques are also available such as TAVR transcatheter aortic valve replacement which offers shorter recovery times.