Jamie just asked me, “Adam – My mom has been diagnosed with aortic regurgitation. The cardiologist told her that her aortic valve is clogged. As a result of the clog, she is being scheduled for more tests and a potential valve repair or replacement. Does this sound right?”

Hmmmm. I think there may be a mix-up of medical terms your mom’s condition. First, aortic regurgitation can lead to heart valve repair or heart valve replacement. That makes sense.
Now, as for the source of that regurgitation, I don’t believe it is because the aortic valve is “clogged”. It sounds like the flaps of your mom’s aortic valve are floppy – thereby creating a blood leak back into the heart.

As for the clog, I don’t know if anything is clogged in the valve. Rather, it sounds like the valve does not open-and-close properly. (That could lead to severe issues for the health of your mother’s heart.)

My gut tells me there may be something else going on here. Perhaps the reference to a clog could relate to a plaque build-up in one of her arteries arteries. As you may know, angioplasty is a procedure done to open a partially blocked blood vessel so that blood can flow through it more easily. It is most often done on arteries that deliver blood to the heart (coronary arteries) when they are narrowed or “clogged” by plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) or blood clots.

You might want to speak with your mom’s cardiologist to further understand her condition and make sure you understand all the details of her diagnosis.

I hope this helps explain more about aortic regurgitation the reality of clogged aortic valves.

Keep on tickin!

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.

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 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).

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!

Do you know how many open heart surgeries were performed in the United States during 2005?

Want to take a guess? Go ahead… Close your eyes and think about it. Okay. Now open your eyes.

(Scroll down for the answer.)

According to the American Heart Association, the number of annual open heart surgeries performed in the United States was approximately 699,000 during 2005. The break-down of some open heart surgeries, by procedure, was:

• Bypass (cardiac revascularization) – 469,000
• Heart transplants – 2,200
• Valve replacements – 106,000

Why did I write about this?

Well. I am hopeful that it will help future patients and caregivers better understand that open-heart surgery, while complex and risky, is a relatively routine procedure. Click this link to further dispel your fear of heart surgery.

Keep on tickin!

Amongst patients, the costs of heart surgery can be a delicate discussion. As you can read, the costs of heart valve surgery vary from patient-to-patient.

To some extent, the initial billings associated with fees from the hospital, the surgeon, the anesthesiologist and the cardiologist can make your jaw drop to the floor.

Regardless of what your heart surgery cost will be, I was just reading a fascinating report by the American Heart Association. According to a 2006 study, the AHA believes that the total annual cost of heart disease is…

Go ahead…

Take a guess….

Really… Venture a guess…

$258 BILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR!!! (Yes. That was with a ‘B’ for billlllllllion.) You should know that estimate includes medical services, medications and lost productivity from people affected with heart disease.

My jaw just dropped to the floor again.

Keep on tickin!

Yesterday, Sean made some interesting comments to Nancy about the risks of Coumadin use. In his response, Sean referenced an online video for patients and caregivers to learn more about the use of blood thinners (anticoagulants) to prevent clotting for those patients that select a mechanical heart valve replacement.

I just spent some time reviewing the video on anticoagulation (Coumadin / Warfarin). Sean was right on. The team at Discovery Health did a good job with this one. While the video can be a little technical, it is rich with information for people looking to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages, risks and opportunities of Coumadin use.

Thanks Sean!

Keep on tickin!