Frequently Asked Questions

The longevity of a replaced valve varies. Mechanical valves may last longer but require lifelong blood thinners. Biological valves have a limited lifespan but may not require blood thinners.

In some cases, yes. Regular follow-up with a cardiologist is crucial to monitor valve function.

It takes about two months to recover from heart valve surgery. Recovery times vary and can be shorter in the case of minimally invasive surgeries. However, most surgeries often need a hospital stay, rest, and rehabilitation.

Transcatheter approaches involve inserting a new valve through a catheter. This can help avoid open-heart surgery.

In heart valve repair, the surgeon fixes the existing valve. In heart valve replacement, the diseased valve is replaced with an artificial valve.

During the physical examination, your doctor may find signs of heart valve disease, like a murmur, enlarged heart, or swollen ankles. However, precise diagnosis can be made with the help of: Chest X-ray  Cardiac catheterization Echocardiograms Electrocardiograms (ECGs) Imaging tests like MRI Transesophageal echocardiogram Exercise stress echocardiogram

The causes of heart valve disease are: Congenital defects Infections like rheumatic fever and infective endocarditis  Age-related degeneration or calcification  Certain medical conditions

Common types of heart valve diseases include:  Aortic stenosis Mitral regurgitation Mitral stenosis Tricuspid regurgitation

The duration of a cryosurgery depends on the part of the body being treated. Typically, it requires 1 to 4 hours for a cryoablation procedure.