I have just learned that my sister has a leaking heart valve that will need surgery, she was born with a narrow artery but now the valve on the other side is leaking.I am really scared and upset about this so only answer if you can help me with this please, thanks. Russell
peapers - Your sister will be just fine and will be better than ever after the surgery.
ReplyDeleteAlthough any surgery is somewhat dangerous, mostly from the anesthesia ( as we've learned from Michael Jackson's death), a heart valve repair is fairly routine these days. A good heart surgeon can fix that within a few hours.
Your sister will have some pain from the surgery and a pretty nasty scar, but she will feel better and be able to be more active than she ever has in the past.
This is a good thing for her. At least she found out long before anything tragic has happened.
Good luck to you and your sister and God Bless.
Alex - Dont't worry Russell,but it is fatal.Try to solve it .I pray for your sister.
ReplyDeleteRebecca B - No, a narrow artery and leaking heart valve is not likely to be fatal. I've got both as a part of my congenital heart diseases (Hypoplastic left heart syndrome and total anomolous pulmonary venous drainage) and they are prolly the very least of my heart problems. My mum reckons that if the doctors had told her that all I had wrong with my heart was a narrow artery and a leaking heart valve she would have punched the air in relief and celebration. In fact I know one mum who when told her unborn baby did have aortic stenosis really did punch the air in celebration! (her other child had hypoplastic left heart syndrome). Quite often surgeons remove faulty heart valves from babies and children and don't bother replacing them with artificial valves leaving the baby/child to go through life perfectly healthy with no heart valve at all so they're not necessarily that important or vital. Either that or they can now replace faulty heart valves in the cath lab, no surgery.
ReplyDeleteAre you in the UK? The specialist heart surgery hospitals in the UK are very good and have excellent safety records (especially Great Ormond Street! LOL!)
M - i have had a leaking heart valve since i had a heart attack11years ago i have been fine just tell your sister not to so to much exersize and she should be fine
ReplyDeleteMahanaim - Ι think it is better seeing a doctor in person to answer this kind of questions.
ReplyDeleteNathan - I am 18 and have a leaky valve. I had surgery 2 years ago to replace this valve and I am fine. I am not physically disabled and compete in anything I want to try. Your sister should be fine. There is always going to be risk being surgery on the heart but these days this is a fairly routine operation. If you have any questions about the operation I am happy to answer just shoot me an email
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