Benefits and Risks – Heart Valve Repair

Depending on your condition, you should begin to feel the effects of your heart valve repair soon after surgery.

Benefits

Most patients feel the results of valve repair surgery immediately. Others notice a gradual improvement over several weeks following their surgery. Your doctor will help you evaluate your progress and recommend programs and activities to help restore your strength and energy.

Risks

There are some risks involved with this kind of surgery. Risks include:

Blood clot formation on or around the valve (clots could break loose and travel in the blood stream)
Damage to red blood cells
A problem with the valve that may cause narrowing of the valve opening
Small amounts of blood leakage through the valve opening after it closes
Abnormal heart rhythms
Inflammation of the heart lining (endocarditis)
Bleeding or hemorrhaging relating to anti-clotting (anticoagulant) medication

Talk with your doctor to learn more about the benefits and risks of heart valve repair surgery.

Next: What Is Heart Valve Replacement?

Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.

Last updated: 22 Sep 2010