aortic valve replacement new port richey fl Archives - Page 3 of 4

If a person has heart valve disease, it’s not uncommon to also experience other conditions or disorders at the same time, including atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease. Another disease that can affect patients with heart valve disease is an aortic aneurysm. What is an aortic aneurysm? An aortic aneurysm is when the walls of the aorta (the largest blood vessel in the body) begin to weaken and bulge. This aneurysm can result in a blood leak into the body if it bursts; however not all aortic aneurysms burst. Aortic aneurysms also can force blood away from organs and tissues resulting in heart attacks, kidney damage, stroke, and death.

Bicuspid aortic valve disease is often linked to ascending aortic and aortic root aneurysms. Patients with bicuspid aortic valve disease should also be evaluated for aortic aneurysms.

An aortic aneurysm can appear in the chest (thoracic aortic aneurysm) or in the abdomen (abdominal aortic aneurysm). Chest aneurysms often develop due to genetics, but other causes include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, plaque buildup, or a traumatic injury. With this type of aneurysm, the symptoms are often not present until the aneurysm is large or bursts. Symptoms that a person may experience can include chest pain, back pain, difficulty breathing and/or swallowing, and shortness of breath.

Often, there are no signs of an abdominal aortic aneurysm; however, some people may have back pain, deep pain on the side of the abdomen, or a throbbing sensation near the navel. If this aneurysm bursts, a person can feel sick and vomit, become sweaty, become dizzy, or feel extreme pain in the abdomen or the stomach. Doctors are not certain what causes abdominal aortic aneurysms but some things that may contribute to its development include hardening of the arteries, smoking, high blood pressure, and genetics.

In some cases, aneurysms can actually cause aortic valve disease or dysfunction. How? The aortic root is connected to the aortic valve and the stretching of the root can stretch the valve, which can lead to valve leakage or insufficiency. Patients with aortic aneurysms usually get checked for aortic valve problems, too.

Aneurysms often take years to grow, and they should be taken seriously. To prevent the development of an aneurysm, it’s best to maintain a good blood pressure and to avoid activities and exercise that require intense straining.

If you have an aortic aneurysm and aortic valve disease, talk to a valve specialist to determine a specialized treatment plan for your condition. Dr. Peter Mikhail is a cardiac surgeon who specializes in aortic valve surgery. To book a consult, click here or call 727-312-4844.

Aortic stenosis is a condition that is growing as the U.S. population grows. Right now, it is estimated that 2.5 million Americans over 75 suffer from this heart valve disease, which accounts for 12.4 percent of the population. Between now and 2050, the elderly population will more than double to around 80 million.

Aortic stenosis affects men more often than women. In fact, 80 percent of adults with aortic stenosis are male. What is aortic stenosis exactly? With this condition, the aortic valve’s flaps (cusps) have thickened or become stiff and could possibly fuse together, which narrows the valve. The valve’s opening becomes narrowed and blocks/reduces blood flow from the heart into the aorta and to the rest of the body.

A person with aortic stenosis will experience the following symptoms: shortness of breath, heart murmur, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, chest tightness, irregular heartbeat, and swelling of the ankles and feet.

The disease is often misdiagnosed and undertreated. A severe case of aortic stenosis can be fatal; some doctors refer to the disease as a “silent killer.” It is a progressive disorder, and the onset of the symptoms and progression will vary from patient to patient. As a person gets older, the aortic valve disease will continue to progress, regardless of what the patient does or doesn’t do.

Since nothing can reduce the progression of this disease, patients are instructed to visit their cardiologist annually, and have an echocardiogram to evaluate is the disease is becoming more severe. Aortic stenosis has three progression stages: mild, moderate, and severe. As stated earlier, a person can experience an array of different symptoms with this disease. If a person is experiencing symptoms, it is often a sign of a progression of the degenerative process, and the person should have the doctor assess them immediately.

If a person gets to the point in which he or she needs an aortic valve replacement, they have more options for surgery than ever before. These days, there are less invasive approaches to aortic valve replacement such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). TAVR is good for people who have been diagnosed with severe aortic valve disease and are at an intermediate or high risk for open heart surgery. Most people who have this procedure are in their 70s or 80s. In this surgery the doctor inserts a catheter in a leg or chest and guides it to the heart. A replacement valve is inserted through the catheter up to the heart.

Do you suffer from aortic stenosis? If you need an aortic valve repair or an aortic valve replacement, Dr. Mikhail is a cardiac surgeon based in New Port Richey, Florida, who specializes in heart valve surgery. To book a consult, click here or call 727-312-4844.

To be blunt, surgery is scary. Even the toughest of us get nervous before going under the knife. When on the table, we are literally putting our lives into someone else’s hands. We have the hope that the surgeon will be able to “fix” us, heal us, and make us better. Surgery can become even more scary when it involves the heart. Heart valve surgery is a big-time surgery, so it’s no wonder patients have many questions and concerns about before, during, and after the procedure. With any surgery, there are risks, so it’s best to know as much as possible about the surgery before setting a date.

For this article, we focus on what you, as the patient, can do to help yourself have the best surgery and post-op as possible. Below, we’ve listed some helpful tips and ideas for you to think about and question before having heart valve surgery, including mitral valve surgery, TAVR, and mini-AVR.

Get to know your cardiac surgeon. What is his or her background? Specialty? How many heart valve surgeries has he or she performed? Do your research.
Choose a cardiac surgeon with a specialty in mitral valves and aortic valves.
Look for a cardiac surgeon who performs more than 20 mitral valve or aortic valve surgeries throughout the year.
Look at pictures and testimonials of your doctor’s past patients. Specifically, look at patients’ stories who are like yours.
Ask questions. Ask as many as you want. To ensure you’ll receive all the information you need, jot your questions down. As a patient, you have the right to know what the surgery will entail and what you will have to experience before, during, and after the surgery.
Make a checklist about all the things you will need help with post-surgery. With this list, you’ll be able to ask family and friends ahead of time to help you with everything from running an errand to vacuuming. You don’t want to get stuck doing anything by yourself that could potentially delay your recovery or harm you.
Think about things to bring to the hospital for you to use post-surgery. Such items may include your own pillow, dry shampoo, feminine products, iPad/phone, books, nightgowns, shorts.

Although this is just a brief list, it gives you an idea of some topics to think about when considering or preparing to have heart valve surgery.

If you’re thinking about having mitral valve surgery or TAVR, Dr. Peter Mikhail is a cardiac surgeon who specializes in these surgeries. Dr. Mikhail is based in New Port Richey, FL, and treats patients in Tampa and Clearwater. To book an appointment, click here or call 727-312-4844.

About two months ago, Dr. Mikhail began performing TAVR at his New Port Richey, FL location. For those of you suffering from aortic valve disease, we would like to share with you some basic information on this surgical procedure. TAVR stands for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and it is considered a revolutionary, and still relatively new, heart valve treatment. TAVR is an alternative to open-heart surgery, which means it is minimally invasive. This surgery is performed through a small catheter.

This procedure is recognized as a big advancement in modern medicine since open-heart surgery was developed in the 1950s. In the last several decades, many patients, especially the elderly, were unable to undergo open-heart surgery for their aortic valve disease because the surgery had too many risks. Because they were unable to receive the surgery, these patients would unfortunately end up dying from the disease. With TAVR, patients do not need a sternotomy (chest cracked open) and do not need to be placed on a heart-lung machine. TAVR isn’t considered such a high-risk operation, so more people are able to receive this treatment.

In TAVR, the doctor will insert a catheter in the leg or chest and guide it to the heart. The replacement aortic valve is inserted through the catheter into the heart. If the valve isn’t expanding on its own, a balloon is often used to expand the valve. After the valve is implanted, the doctor removes the catheter from the blood vessel. With TAVR, there are three different approaches. The doctor will decide which TAVR approach is a good match for you. The approaches are:

Transfemoral Approach – This is done through an incision in the leg.
Transapical Approach – This is done through an incision in the chest between the ribs.
Transaortic Approach – This is done through an incision in the upper chest.

Since TAVR is still a new procedure, it is recommended mainly for those suffering from severe aortic valve disease but who are at high risk if undergoing open heart surgery. A cardiologist, cardiac surgeon and imaging specialist will determine if a patient is in the high-risk category and eligible for this type of surgery. Some factors that make a patient high risk include older age, previous heart surgeries, lung disease, and kidney disease.

TAVR is considered a relatively safe surgery, but as with any surgery it comes with risks, including death, stroke, valve leaks, kidney failure and vessel damage. These complications are rare, and as TAVR becomes more widely used, the complications continue to decrease.

TAVR patients, for the most part, leave the hospital within a week following the surgery. Many patients will be placed on a blood thinner following the procedure.

If you suffer from aortic valve disease and think you may be eligible for TAVR or want to know more about this surgery, call Dr. Mikhail’s office at 727-312-4844 or click here to book an appointment. Dr. Mikhail is a cardiac surgeon who treats patients with aortic valve disease in the New Port Richey, Tampa, and Clearwater areas.

Today, we are going to discuss a treatment method for aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation – two serious conditions that affect the heart’s aortic valve – called Mini-AVR.

First, let’s talk about what those conditions are.

Aortic stenosis occurs when the cusps of the aortic valve become abnormally rigid and do not fully open. This narrowing of the valve creates resistance against the pumping of blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body, and if left untreated, it can lead to heart failure.

Typically, this condition is the result of degeneration due to natural aging and health issues and calcium buildup on the valve cusps over time causes them to stiffen.

Aortic regurgitation occurs when the aortic valve allows blood to leak back into the left ventricle. It’s often caused by valve damage due to a recent infection or rheumatic heart disease, or it’s a congenital heart defect you were born with.

The symptoms of both conditions include shortness of breath, chest pain or heaviness, fainting or lightheadedness, decreased physical endurance during exercise, and swelling of the limbs.

The severity of aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation will determine treatment. A Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement, or Mini-AVR, involves the surgical replacement of the aortic valve with a prosthetic valve. Its benefits include less trauma and pain, better cosmetic results, a shorter recovery time, and a potentially lower financial cost.

During Mini-AVR surgery, a small incision is made in the upper chest area, and a cardiopulmonary bypass machine is used to take over functions of the heart and lungs, so that blood continues to flow around the heart and the body’s oxygen levels remain stable. A surgeon will open the aorta (and, if necessary, remove any diseased valve cusps), measure the valve ring, and insert the prosthetic valve.

The surgery typically takes about 2 to 3 hours. Several recent studies have shown that a Mini-AVR procedure is potentially safer than a conventional AVR procedure with a full sternotomy, which calls for much larger incision.

It’s important to talk to your doctor about the best treatment options for aortic valve conditions. In some cases, medication may be effective treatment for aortic regurgitation. However, receiving timely surgery is often advised because a significant delay could lead to congestive heart failure.

Dr. Peter Mikhail is a cardiac and thoracic surgeon based in New Port Richey, Florida, who treats patients in the Tampa and Clearwater areas. For more information on his practice or to schedule a consultation, visit Mitral Valve contact page or call 727-312-4844.

Keeping tabs on your health in today’s digital age is easier than ever before. But did you know that when it comes to monitoring your heart rate, a wrist-worn device isn’t as effective as one that’s strapped to your chest?

PC Magazine recently offered a review of 10 wearable heart monitors, and four out of the top five personal devices used chest straps to record heart activity. The magazine noted that chest-strap models, which use an electrical pulse to measure heart rate, are more accurate than wrist-worn devices that employ optical technology.

That finding is backed by a March 2017 report by the Cleveland Clinic, which tested five wrist-worn fitness trackers and came to the same conclusion – that monitors worn across the chest are more accurate at measuring heart rate while exercising.

Heart monitoring during sustained physical activity is especially important for individuals with heart murmurs and mild-to-moderate mitral valve regurgitation (MVR).

Here’s a list of the top chest-worn models (prices may vary):

—Wahoo Fitness Tickr X Heart Rate Monitor: “The Wahoo Fitness Tickr X is the best heart rate strap you can buy. It’s so much more than just a heart rate monitor, and yet it costs the same as other excellent chest straps that don’t offer nearly as much. It doubles as a run tracker. You can use it with or without your phone.”

$99.99 MSRP; $79 at Amazon.com (http://amzn.to/2wCvvb1)

—Polar H7 Heart Rate Sensor: “Polar users in need of an accurate HRM can’t go wrong with the H7, but it’s also good for anyone looking to add heart rate data to their run-tracking using one of the five supported apps. And if it works with your home or gym fitness equipment, all the better. The price is right, too. The Polar H7 is one of the most versatile and accurate HRMs available.”

$79.95 MSRP; $62.99 at Amazon.com (http://amzn.to/2gD39nJ)

—Polar H10 Heart Rate Sensor: “If your current H7 chest strap is showing some wear and tear, you might want to think about upgrading to the H10. The extended battery life and built-in memory make it a solid investment, especially if you have or are thinking of getting a Polar fitness tracker.”

$89.95 MSRP; $89.95 at Amazon.com (http://amzn.to/2wCXrvr)

—Garmin HRM-Run: “For runners who want a plethora of data, the Garmin HRM-Run gives you advanced stats including cadence, oscillation, ground contact time, ground contact balance, stride length, and vertical ratio. It makes for a pricey bundle when paired with a compatible tracker, but one worth considering.”

$99.95 MSRP; $83.74 at Amazon.com (http://amzn.to/2w3jkAu)

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We all know that exercise and physical health go hand-in-hand. But did you know that exercising can help prevent heart disease and stroke, and even help individuals with some minor heart conditions?

The American Heart Association recommends getting at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise — or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise — to improve overall cardiovascular health. For individuals looking to lower their blood pressure or cholesterol levels, the organization recommends 40 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise three to four times per week.

Aerobic exercises include walking, jogging, swimming, or biking.

Your heart is a muscle, and it gets stronger and healthier if you lead an active lifestyle. The resting heart rate of a person who stays active is slower than a non-active person, because less effort is needed to keep blood pumping. People who don’t exercise are twice as likely to develop heart disease compared to those who stay active.

Exercise promotes weight maintenance and reduction, and can reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. Those “bad” lipoproteins lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, which narrows vital pathways for blood flow and raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Some cardiologists recommend combining short bursts of high-intensity exercise with slightly longer periods of recovery, so that the body becomes more efficient at clearing fat and sugar from the blood. Weight training can also help with heart protection for healthy individuals.

It’s been shown that exercise decreases symptoms of angina and heart failure, and even overweight people who have trouble shedding pounds can still achieve heart benefits with routine physical activity.

Experts also agree that the worst kind of exercise for heart health is “overdoing it” with vigorous physical activity without prior training, such as shoveling snow. The excessive adrenaline that is released throughout the body can lead to a sudden heart attack.

For people with mild-to-moderate mitral valve regurgitation (MVR) without symptoms, regular activity – even if it’s walking – will help heart functions. Using a treadmill with a digital heart monitor is one of the easiest ways to work out while keeping tabs on your pulse.

It’s important to note that people with MVR who are experiencing irregular heart rhythms should be cautious about physical activity, avoid a high-intensity workout, and consult their doctors about what type of exercise is appropriate.

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Blood pressure and heart health go hand in hand. Your blood pressure reading reflects two numbers, systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. Your systolic pressure measures the pressure of the blood against your artery walls when the heart pumps blood out during a heartbeat, while your diastolic pressure measures this pressure in-between heartbeats when your heart is full of blood. Ideally, your blood pressure should read below 120/80. One in three American adults suffer from high blood pressure. One thing you can do to keep your blood pressure in check is to eat a balanced diet. Certain foods are known to increase your blood pressure. We suggest you avoid the following foods or limit them in your diet to keep your blood pressure in a good range:

Soda/sweetened beverages – Sugar-loaded drinks can quickly lead to weight gain; excessive weight on the body can raise a person’s blood pressure.
Processed meats and other foods – Deli meats like turkey or ham are loaded with sodium, which can raise a person’s blood pressure. Lots of packaged foods contain high amounts of sodium, e.g. canned soup, frozen meals, tomato sauces, canned vegetables and bread. These foods have a lot of sodium, because this ingredient is used to preserve the foods.
Baked goods – Cakes, doughnuts, muffins, cupcakes, cookies, pies and more are loaded with sugar, but also contain a lot of saturated and trans fats. Both these “bad” fats are known to increase blood pressure.
Candy – When you eat a piece of candy, you’re basically consuming empty calories and a lot of sugar; candy can spike your sugar levels and can lead to weight gain.
Alcohol – Excessive use of alcohol can lead to weight gain and dehydration both of which can lead to an increase in blood pressure.

Each day, you should aim to keep your sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams; sugar should be limited to 37.5 grams per day for men and 25 grams per day for women. It’s best to avoid or limit the above foods and opt for water, 100 percent fruit juices, fresh meat, fruit, homemade (healthier) desserts, nuts, legumes, vegetables, and whole grains.

If you currently have high blood pressure or heart disease, it’s wise to discuss with your doctor the best meal plan for you. If you suffer from mitral valve disease or aortic valve disease and need surgery, Dr. Peter Mikhail is a cardiac surgeon treating patients in the Tampa, Clearwater and New Port Richey areas of Florida. To book an appointment, click here or call 727-312-4844.

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Get up, and get moving! Exercise is essential to heart health. However, you don’t have to be overly athletic or a marathon runner to reap the benefits of exercise. According to the American Heart Association, a person can improve his or her overall cardiovascular health by participating in at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise (or a combination of both) per week. Exercise comes in many different forms, from running and lifting weights to Zumba class and walking. For this article, we focus on the benefits from one particular type of exercise, Yoga.

Yes, yoga. This form of exercise is much more than a bunch of funny-looking body positions. People have been practicing yoga for more than 5,000 years to help rejuvenate the body and help themselves live a longer life. Yoga has been shown to have numerous benefits including helping reduce stress and bring clarity and peace to a person’s mind. Recently, a new study published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology said that yoga may help lower a person’s risk for heart disease in the same way as walking or another conventional exercise.

In this study, people of all ages and health conditions saw improvements in their health while participating in yoga. These people lost weight, lowered their blood pressure, and lowered their LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels.

Yoga is physical but it also involves a lot of breathing exercises and meditation. These activities can all have positive effects on the heart and body. Yoga’s impact on muscles and the mind can help control blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and calm the nervous system, which can reduce stress in the body. Yoga can also help increase a person’s aerobic capacity, and has also been known to help people with atrial fibrillation have fewer episodes.

Yoga classes are available for people of all experience levels. If you have a health condition or aren’t in great shape, a beginner class is a great way to learn all the moves in a slow, controlled way that isn’t intimidating. Hatha yoga is good for beginners, while Vinyasa yoga is better for those individuals who are more experienced and physically fit. Bikram yoga or Hot yoga, which is yoga in a room with a temperature of more than 105 degrees, is not recommended for people with heart conditions like heart disease.

If you currently have heart disease, talk to your doctor about taking a yoga class. If you’re a candidate for heart valve surgery, Dr. Peter Mikhail performs mitral valve surgery and aortic valve surgery in the cities of Tampa, Clearwater, and New Port Richey of Florida. To book a consult, click here or call 727-312-4844.

During your annual physical, a doctor will listen to your heart with a stethoscope. If the doctor hears anything troubling or odd, he or she will recommend that you have an echocardiogram done on your heart. What is an echocardiogram? An echocardiogram (echo) will show doctors the size, structures, and movements of the parts within your heart. Through this test, a doctor will be able to determine several things, including: the size of your heart, the state of your heart muscles, heart valve problems, problems with your heart’s structure, and signs of blood clots or tumors.

During an echo, a technician will place three electrodes which are attached to an electrocardiograph monitor (ECG or EKG) on your chest. You will be asked to lay down on your left side. He or she will place a wand (with gel on the end) on your chest; the wand is a sound-wave transducer. You may have to change positions a few times during the test, so several areas of your heart will be photographed. Echos are safe and you should feel no discomfort.

An echo lasts for about 40 minutes; you can return to work or other daily activities immediately following. You can eat, drink, and take any medications normally before this test.

There are several different types of echocardiograms and your doctor will determine which one is right for you. Here are brief descriptions of the types of echocardiograms:

Transthoracic echocardiogram – This is the basic echo and is like an x-ray (minus the radiation).
Transesophageal echocardiogram – In this echo, the transducer is inserted down the throat into the esophagus, because the esophagus is close to the heart.
Stress echocardiogram – This echo is taken while the person exercises on a treadmill or stationary bike.
Dobutamine stress echocardiogram – This is a stress echo but without the exercise; the stress is obtained through a drug that makes the body think its exercising.
Intravascular ultrasound – This ultrasound is performed during cardiac catheterization, and the transducer is threaded into the heart blood vessels through a catheter in the groin.

If you’ve had an echo or other stress test, this can help the doctor determine if you are currently suffering from heart valve disease. If you found out you have mitral valve disease or aortic valve disease and need surgery, Dr. Peter Mikhail is an experienced cardiac surgeon who specializes in mitral valve surgery and mini-AVR. To book an appointment, click here or call 727-312-4844.

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MITRAL VALVE BLOG

Aortic Aneurysm and Heart Disease

Facts About Aortic Stenosis

Things to Think About Regarding Heart Valve Surgery

What is TAVR?

What is Mini-AVR?

Consumer tech: Top heart rate monitors of 2017

The benefits of exercise on heart health

Food to Avoid in Your Diet to Keep Your Blood Pressure in Check

How Yoga Benefits the Heart

What is an Echocardiogram?

Time in the Sauna Can Benefit the Heart

Aortic Stenosis 101

What is Structural Heart Disease?

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