Understanding The Basics Of A Heart Valve Replacement Surgery

Our heart grows weak as we age. However, it depends a lot on how we maintain ourselves. Until and unless born with a heart condition, proper diet and regular exercise goes a long way in keeping your heart healthy and strong. However, there are times when heart surgery becomes necessary. One of the most common heart surgeries that are performed in India is heart valve replacement surgery.

The function of heart valves

The main function of the heart is to pump blood to the rest of the body.  In order for the blood to flow outside the heart it requires valves. Now if one of these valves get damaged or blocked then the flow becomes restricted and hence and it the blood flow to the important organs of the body becomes compromised and if not treated properly in time, might lead to multi-organ failure.

When is a heart valve replacement surgery needed?

Since the price of heart valve replacement is quite high, minor damage to the heart valves does not always necessarily means that you will have to go for a valve replacement surgery. Valve replacement becomes imperative when the damage is too far gone and then there is no way in which the blockage in the valve can be cleared even through surgical means. This is when doctors advise heart replacement surgeries to their patients.

The basic ways through heart valve replacement surgery is done

There are mainly two common procedures that are followed in it comes to surgery that involves the replacement of the heart valve. One is the mechanical mode of replacement and the other is the biological one. The mechanical mode is the most commonly used and the most long-lasting option when it comes to valve replacement. As the name suggests, the valves that are used in this method are made from metals like stainless steel or ceramic or titanium. However, there is one negative side to this kind of a replacement and that is that you will have to take blood thinners for the rest of your life in order to prevent coagulation of blood and to ensure that blood flows through the replaced valve smoothly.

The other method is the biological one, which aims at keeping the replaced valve as natural as possible since it is made out of animal or even human tissue. These valves will most likely need replacement after 10-15 years but there is a high possibility that you will not have to subject yourself to blood thinner pills for the rest of your life.

There is a third form of replacement, though it is not very common when it comes to replacing the aortic valve. The pulmonic valve is used as a replacement and an artificial valve replaces the pulmonic valve. These will however need replacement eventually. The price of heart valve replacement in India depends on what kind of replacement you decide to go for.

These are some of the basic facts that are related the heart valve replacement surgery. If you are about to opt for one, do consult your doctor and get to know the pros and cons in detail.