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Heart Valve Repair or Replacement
Heart Valve Repair or ReplacementYour heart pumps blood throughout your body. It has 4 valves. With every heartbeat, they open andclose like doors to keep blood flowing the right way through your heart.Sometimes a valve may leak or become narrow. A leaky valve no longer closes all the way, lettingblood flow backward. This problem is called regurgitation.If a valve narrows, it may not open all the way, slowing the forward flow of blood. This problem iscalled stenosis. Heart valve surgery repairs or replaces a damaged heart valve.Before the surgery, you’ll be given medicines that put you to sleep.Your surgeon makes a cut down the center of your chest. They open your breastbone to reach yourheart.Your heart is then stopped with medicine. You will be connected to a heart-lung machine to keepblood pumping throughout your body during the surgery.What happens next depends on your exact valve problem. To repair a valve, your surgeon may trimor reshape the value to help it work better. They may need to repair a torn flap, or separate flaps thathave fused together. Or they may reinforce the ring of tissue that supports the valve.If the valve is beyond repair, your surgeon removes it. They replace it with a mechanical valve or onemade of human or animal tissue.When the repair or replacement is done, your surgeon will restart your heart. They will sew yourbreastbone back together with wire, and close your chest with stitches or staples.After surgery, you may be in the hospital for 5 to 7 days. It usually takes 4 to 8 weeks to fully recover.Heart valve repair or replacement surgery can improve blood flow, help you feel better, and prolongyour life.Page 1 ofThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.© The Wellness Network
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