Heart Valve Disease & Heart Failure: Key Insights from Dr. Laura DiChiacchio

Heart valve disease and heart failure are closely connected, especially when a valve problem is not detected or treated appropriately. In this video, Dr. Laura DiChiacchio, a cardiac surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, explains how a poorly functioning valve can place additional strain on the heart and eventually contribute to heart failure. She also discusses how heart failure can worsen existing valve disease, creating a cycle that may cause patients to feel increasingly sick.

Dr. DiChiacchio emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis, regular evaluation, and timely treatment. Depending on the patient, treatment may include medication, a transcatheter procedure, or heart valve surgery. She explains that treating valve disease before permanent heart damage develops may help prevent heart failure and restore a patient’s expected life expectancy. (Video posted on August 19, 2026)