HEART VALVE SURGERY — YOUR QUESTIONS

You may feel overwhelmed if you or a loved one needs heart valve surgery. To put you at ease, Dr. Donnell K. Bowen, board-certifid cardiothoracic surgeon at Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center at Sugar Land, answered frequently asked questions about the procedure and recovery.

Q: WHAT DO THE VALVES IN THE HEART DO?

A: The heart has four valves responsible for keeping blood moving in a circular pattern through the organ. The aortic and mitral valves are located on the left sid, the pulmonary and tricuspid valves on the right. Each valve has “flaps” that work like a gate that closes before the blood can flw backward from where it came.

Q: WHY IS SURGERY SOMETIMES NEEDED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE HEART VALVES?

A: “A valve can weaken and harden over time or due to certain conditions,” said Bowen. “Ths prevents blood from circulating properly.” Regurgitation is when the valve flaps don’t seal properly, causing blood to flw in the wrong direction. If the valve is only slightly damaged, a surgeon can repair it by removing the worn tissue and inserting a “ring” to keep the valve in shape. If the condition worsens, patients may require medication and/or surgery.

Q: ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HEART VALVE SURGERY?

A: With open-heart surgery, the surgeon makes an incision to open the chest and repairs the damaged valve or replaces it with a new valve. In contrast, minimally invasive valve surgery is done through much smaller cuts or through a catheter inserted through the skin. Your doctor will determine which type of surgery is necessary.

Q: HOW LONG IS THE RECOVERY FROM HEART VALVE SURGERY?

A: Most people spend three to seven days in the hospital following surgery. “Once home, it will take at least four to six weeks to heal completely,” Bowen added. During this time, you may have some chest pain, and feel itchy, numb or tingly near your incision. For a while, you may have a poor appetite, mood swings, lack of energy and even some shortness of breath.

Q: WHAT ACTIVITIES CAN I DO AFTER SURGERY?

A: Plan to have someone in your home to help you for at least the first week. Try to stay active during your recovery, but remember to start slowly and increase your activity little by little. Moving, walking, carefully climbing stairs and light household chores are encouraged as long as you take each activity slowly. “It’s important to eat a heart-healthy diet and, during your recovery, avoid any exercise that pulls across your chest,” noted Bowen. •