Understanding Your Heart Valve Treatment Options
![doctor talking to patients](/-/media/Images/Health-Topics/Heart-Valve-Problems-and-Disease/senior-woman-and-doctor-with-tablet.jpg?h=563&w=1000&hash=8CD72DF4B30996038A6D3AAE1979C254)
Recovery statistics are very good for people who receive proper treatment.
Some people live long and full lives with mild valvular problems and never need surgery. But once a heart valve begins to affect the heart’s ability to pump blood, it's likely to require a repair or replacement.
Treatment for valve disease will include a plan to:
- Protect your heart from further damage.
- Assess your need for medication to help manage symptoms.
- Repair the valve problem if needed.
- Communicate steps for management, self-care and the importance of follow-up care.
Generally, once it's determined that a diseased heart valve needs treatment, the available choices are valve repair or replacement:
- Valve repair — preserves the patient’s valve and leaflets. Sometimes repairs require a minor surgical procedure and other times repairs need a more extensive surgery. Repair is most often possible for mitral valve regurgitation and tricuspid valve regurgitation.
- Valve replacement — may include open heart surgery or a minimally invasive procedure such as TAVR (or TAVI).
Additional resources:
- Print our pre-surgery checklist: Facing and Recovering from Major Surgery (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)
- Aortic Stenosis Discussion Guide: Get the most out of your appointment (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)
- Aortic Stenosis: Considerations for Replacing Your Aortic Valve (PDF)
- Patient guide: Understanding Your Heart Valve Problem (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)
- Telehealth Tips for Heart Valve Patients (PDF)