Ready to take a guess? Here’s the question:

How many mitral valve surgeries, including valve repair and valve replacement, are performed each year in the United States?

Any ideas?

If you need help, here is a hint… Each year, there are over 100,000 heart valve surgeries performed in the United States. (I know that wasn’t the greatest hint but I hope it helped you a little bit.)

For the answer, scroll down below the picture of a diseased mitral valve with calcified valve flaps ^[1].

According to CardioSource, there are approximately 42,000 mitral valve operations performed in the United States each year. The two most frequently operated on heart valves are the aortic valve ^[2] and the mitral valve.

Why am I telling you this? Well, if you were recently diagnosed with heart valve disease AND you need surgery, I am hopeful this information helps you understand that you are not alone (click to see several patient success stories) ^[3].

As these facts show, many other patients have valve surgery. And, more importantly, most of these patients go on to live better, longer lives as a result of their surgery.

Keep on tickin!