Heart Valve Recovery

Heart valve disease is indicated when one or more valves that control heart chambers and regulate blood flow throughout the heart muscle begin to malfunction. The prognosis for heart valve recovery is excellent with changes in diet and medical treatment.

Significance

• Approximately 99,000 heart valve operations are performed each year in the United States. Although there are four primary heart valves, the mitral and aorta valves are the focus of nearly all procedures.

Treatment

• Medications may be able to control the disease, but more extreme options are likely. "Heart valve disease initially may be treated medically, but, in most cases, surgery is necessary to repair or replace the damaged valve or valves," according to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

Time Frame

• Hospital stays after valve repair or replacement typically average about one week, including 1 to 3 days in the Intensive Care Unit. "If you have an office job, you can usually go back to work in 4 to 6 weeks," according to The Texas Heart Institute. Occasionally, valve repair fails, requiring another operation.

Considerations

• Patients who receive mechanical replacement valves will need to take blood-thinning medications for the remainder of their lives. Those who have tissue-based replacement valves inserted often require a second procedure 10 to 15 years later.

Nutrition

• Dietary recommendations for heart valve replacement patients are the same as those for most people faced with any cardiovascular or heart disease. Reduction of fat, cholesterol and sodium intake is paramount for heart valve recovery.