Heart valve disease care

Access complete care of the heart’s valves from the knowledgeable cardiologists at Tyler Heart Institute. Tyler Heart Institute is the cardiovascular department at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, the hospital of Montage Health.

Types of valve problems

The heart has four valves — the aortic, mitral, pulmonary, and tricuspid valves. They normally open and close to let blood flow in one direction when the heart beats. If you have heart valve disease, one or more of your heart valves may have:

• Prolapse – When a valve doesn’t close normally
• Regurgitation, also called valvular insufficiency – When blood leaks through a valve and flows backward
• Stenosis – When a narrowed, stiffened valve doesn’t open enough, preventing blood from flowing well

Symptoms of heart valve diseases

Some people with a valve disorder don’t have symptoms. But if you experience symptoms, they may include:

• Chest pain or an irregular heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of the abdomen, ankles, or feet
• Tiredness, lightheadedness, or weakness

Diagnostic tests

Talk to your doctor if you have heart valve disease symptoms. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and may recommend certain tests, such as:

• Angiogram
• Echocardiogram, or echo
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Stress test

Your treatment plan

Your treatment plan depends on the cause of your condition, which heart valve is affected and how severely, and other factors. When possible, your doctor will recommend conservative (nonsurgical) treatments first, so you can return to your daily activities as soon as possible. Conservative care may include medications and ongoing monitoring by your cardiologist.

Procedures to treat valvular disease

In some situations, you and your care team may decide that surgery or a minimally invasive procedure is the best option. Depend on our skilled team to expertly perform heart valve repair or replacement. Then, we’ll put you on the road to recovery by reserving you a spot in our cardiac rehabilitation program.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)

If you have aortic valve stenosis, you may be a candidate for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This treatment uses advanced technology and minimally invasive techniques to replace a narrowed aortic valve, allowing you to recover sooner than if you had a more invasive procedure.