What Is Heart Valve Replacement?

A bioprosthetic heart valve

During a heart valve replacement procedure, the surgeon removes your diseased heart valve and replaces it with a prosthetic or artificial heart valve. This artificial valve works much like a normal heart valve.

An artificial heart valve is either a mechanical or a tissue valve. Mechanical heart valves are made of a strong material such as titanium or carbon. Tissue heart valves are obtained either from human donors or from animal tissue.

After receiving your new heart valve, you will likely begin noticing improvement in how you feel. Complete recovery from surgery may take approximately 6 to 12 weeks. Most heart valve patients are able to resume a normal lifestyle.

Next: Frequently Asked Questions – Heart Valve Replacement

Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.

Last updated: 15 Dec 2008