Experience Improved Health with Heart Valve Replacement

Heart valve replacement is a surgical procedure to remove a heart valve that isn’t functioning properly and replace it with a new valve. The valves in your heart help blood move in the right direction. If a valve is damaged, it can limit the flow of blood through your body.

To learn more about the expert valve procedures we offer, Find a Doctor at Dignity Health.

Are You a Candidate for Heart Valve Replacement?

If you’ve been diagnosed with aortic valve stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leaking), your doctor may recommend heart valve replacement as a treatment option. Aortic stenosis limits the flow of blood from your heart into your aorta and the rest of your body. If one of your heart valves doesn’t close all the way, it causes regurgitation (allowing blood to flow backwards).

You may be eligible for minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) if open heart surgery is not recommended. This less-invasive procedure restores blood flow to the rest of your body. It can improve the symptoms of aortic valve stenosis and related complications, including chest pain, heart failure, an irregular heartbeat, and fainting episodes.

Heart Valve Replacement at Dignity Health

There are three types of heart valve replacement:

  • Minimally invasive surgery
  • Catheter-based procedure
  • Open heart surgery 

You’ll receive general anesthesia for the procedure. Heart valve replacement may take three to five hours. Once the surgery is complete, you’ll need to stay in the hospital for a few days.

Heart Valve Replacement Recovery

When you’re ready to return home, your care team will provide you with detailed instructions on prescription medications for pain, how to take care of your incision, and what activities are safe to perform during the healing process. You should report any unusual symptoms to your doctor right away. We are committed to your complete heart health and overall well-being.

St. Joseph's Heart & Vascular Institute offers advanced heart valve replacement surgery in the Central California region.