Prior to the Heart Valve Summit, Wanda sent me two great questions. She wrote, “Adam – What is the oldest person that a surgeon has operated on? Is it common for the elderly to have heart valve surgery? Thanks! Wanda”

As I receive this question often — from patients and caregivers — I wanted to provide Wanda an expert opinion. For that reason, I met with Dr. Steven Bolling, the Director of The Mitral Valve Clinic at the University of Michigan. Here are the highlights from our discussion.

Thanks to Wanda for her questions and a special “Thank You” to Dr. Steven Bolling for sharing his clinical expertise with us.

For those of you who are hearing impaired, I have provided a transcript of this video below.

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I just received an email from Sharon that rekindled a memory. Sharon writes, “Hi Adam – I was recently diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and I need an aortic valve replacement. Even though I’m 62 and in relatively good shape, I’m worried about making it through. Do you know what the mortality rates and surgery risks are for aortic valve replacement? Thanks, Sharon”

I can relate to Sharon… I distinctly remember wondering this exact same question just seconds after I was told that I needed an aortic valve replacement. Although I was too nervous — in that moment — to ask my cardiologist about surgical risks and mortality rates, I would later research this topic prior to surgery.

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Time for your heart valve trivia of the day… Here’s the question:

Your multiple choice answers are:

A. Mitral valve prolapse
B. Calcified aortic valve
C. Torn mitral valve chordae
D. Bicuspid aortic valve
E. None of the above

According to Medical News Today, the most common heart valve defect is…

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Sophia sent me a very appropriate question about two emotions experienced by most patients prior to heart valve surgery. She writes, “Adam – I’m 62 and diagnosed with mitral regurgitation. I need surgery and I’m scared out of my mind. Is there anything the surgeons can share that could ease my fear and anxiety?”

Luckily, I was able to ask this exact question to Dr. Marc Gillinov, a leading surgeon from The Cleveland Clinic. So you know, Dr. Gillinov has performed over 2,500 heart valve procedures during his career.

I’m hopeful this video interview helped Sophia (and perhaps you) understand the realities of heart valve surgery. As Dr. Gillinov suggests, the odds are very favorable that you will have a successful procedure. However, please take the time to do your homework — get a second opinion, research your surgical options, evaluate your surgeon — prior to entering the hospital.

Thanks to Sophia for her question. And, a special thanks to Dr. Marc Gillinov for sharing his clinical experience and advice with all of us. For those of you who are hearing impaired, I have provided a written transcript of this video interview with Dr. Gillinov below.

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When we started HeartValveJournals.com, our social network, I didn’t know what to expect. But now, 15 months later, I am constantly touched, moved and inspired by the patients and the caregivers who openly share their hearts in this special community.

Just now, I was surfing through the website when I came across the journal of Sarah Weir from New York, New York.

Sarah Weir – Heart Valve Repair Patient

As you can read in her story, Sarah was recently diagnosed with severe mitral valve regurgitation. Her surgery is scheduled for March 16th — next Wednesday. Doctor Pedro Del Nido at Children’s Hospital Boston will be performing the mitral valve repair. As you may recall, Dr. Del Nido was Baby Gabe’s surgeon.

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