Following a recent blog, Take A Guess: How Many Annual Mitral Valve Surgeries? ^[1], I have received several questions about whether or not aortic valve replacements are common.

I hope you would agree that determining whether or not aortic valve surgery qualifies as “common” is relative. It ultimately depends on what YOU consider as common, right?

As for me, I have learned (since my own aortic valve replacement) that aortic valve surgery is not common but it is not uncommon as well. Confused? Let me explain.

Given my research, I estimate there are approximately 20,000 to 30,000 aortic valve replacement surgeries in the United States each year. While that is not a small number, it is relatively small considering that over 250 million people live in the United States.

Now, the interesting part… I go to the gym about five times per week. In the last three months, I have coincidentally met – in the sauna – two different people that had aortic valve replacement due to congenital bicuspid valves ^[2].

Here is my point: While aortic valve replacement ^[3] is not statistically common, the surgery is performed on a very regular basis with a high degree of success.

I hope that helps give some perspective on whether or not aortic valve replacement is common.

Keep on tickin!