new port richey mitral valve replacement Archives - Page 2 of 2

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Are you a candidate for mitral valve surgery? If so, you probably have a lot of questions. Although surgery on the mitral valve can be minimally-invasive these days, it can still be scary going under the knife for a heart operation. Dr. Peter Mikhail is a cardiac and thoracic surgeon who specializes in treating and operating on patients with mitral valve disease. Below, we share some answers to a few questions you may have if you’re deciding to have this surgery.

Do I need my mitral valve repaired or replaced?
Dr. Peter Mikhail will assess the damage to your valve to determine if he is able to repair the valve or if it’s better to replace it. Through his years of experience, Dr. Mikhail can make an educated, experienced decision on which is the best option for you.

Should I choose a mechanical valve or a biological valve?
This is a decision that will be made between you and the doctor. The doctor will look at your history, symptoms, age, and lifestyle to determine which type is better for your body. Mechanical valves require a person be on blood thinners for the rest of his or her life, so a younger, active person may not choose this option. However, mechanical valves do last longer and don’t succumb to wear and tear like a biological valve would. A biological valve will have to be replaced in 10 years or so; this is something a younger patient will need to consider. Again, this is a decision between you and the surgeon.

What tests do I need before this surgery?
You will have an echocardiogram and/or stress test done to determine if surgery is the right course of action.

How long is mitral valve surgery?

The operation itself takes around 45 minutes, but the entire process (prep, closing, etc.) can take up to four hours.

How long am I in the hospital after this surgery?
After surgery, you will spend one to two days in ICU. After ICU, you will be moved to a regular hospital room for several days. The doctor and other medical professionals will monitor your recovery, vitals, and pain. Recovery can take one to three months.

For more FAQ, click here.

To book a consult with Dr. Peter Mikhail, click here or call 727-312-4844. Dr. Mikhail specializes in mitral valve surgery and works out of the Tampa, Clearwater, and New Port Richey areas in Florida.

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Mobile apps are the “thing” right now, even in the medical industry. You’ve probably heard of food log apps and step tracking apps, but there happens to be many heart-healthy mobile apps out there that heart disease patients can use. Below, we wanted to share some good mobile apps that can help you on your journey of taking control of your health.

Cardiio – This app can monitor your heart rate, as well as determine your level of cardiovascular health and fitness. Your phone’s camera measures your heartbeat. The app looks at the light reflected off your face to get its reading. This was developed by people at Harvard University and MIT.

Azumio – Azumio is like Cardiio and it can check your pulse. With this app, you place your pointer finger on the camera and your pulse reading will appear on the screen.

Blood Pressure Companion – This app records heart rate and blood pressure. You can take notes in this app and set reminders for you to take your readings. In this app, you’ll be able to track all your readings for yourself and a doctor.

Digifit iCardio – In this app, you can track your exercise and progress. You can integrate different music apps and social media sites to go along with your workout. You can track your weight, blood pressure, and sleep. You can also connect this with your Fitbit or other heart rate monitor.

Heart Healthy Meal Planner – The Heart Foundation created this app for people to create heart-healthy meal plans. Within the app, you have access to advice on foods to eat, meal ideas, and recipes. There is a heart symbol shown next to choices that are heart healthy.

Do you currently suffer from heart valve disease? If you’re a candidate for surgery, Dr. Peter Mikhail is a cardiac surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive mitral valve surgery, as well as mini-AVR. These procedures require less recovery time than traditional open heart surgery. Dr. Mikhail is based in New Port Richey, Florida. To learn more or to book a consult with the doctor, visit the Mitral Valve Surgery page or call (727) 312-4844.

Can stress cause heart disease? Stress isn’t an exact or direct cause for heart disease, per se, but it can be a risk factor. Stress, especially when it is chronic, can cause all sorts of health issues in the body, including issues with the heart.

When a person experiences stress, the body releases the adrenaline hormone as a response. This hormone increases a person’s heart rate, and also raises blood pressure, which puts stress onto the heart. Stress doesn’t cause high blood pressure, but it will raise it when it occurs. With chronic stress, the increase in blood pressure can do damage to the heart’s arteries over time.

Rarely, a person can experience “broken heart syndrome,” which is a temporary condition a person experiences in the heart due to extreme traumatic and stressful situations like a death of a family member or friend. Broken heart syndrome can cause a person to experience chest pain similar to that of a heart attack. The medical term for this syndrome is known as stress cardiomyopathy and it is treatable.

Many people often turn to unhealthy habits to destress themselves. Smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating bad foods are often the go-to choices of people when they’re feeling stressed. Unfortunately, those choices are not good for the heart, especially if they become habits and lead to excessive use and weight gain.

Right now, in the medical field, the consensus is that stress does not directly lead to heart disease, but it can lead a person down certain paths and behaviors that can increase the risks of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attacks and strokes.

The best thing a person can do is manage their daily stress as best as possible through different practices. Exercise is a great stress reliever for many people, and it is also heart-healthy. Other ways to reduce stress include: talking to a mental-health professional, reading a book, relaxing by a pool, watching a movie, practicing meditation, taking a yoga class, taking a bath, eating healthy, talking to a friend, getting a massage, or participating in a favorite hobby.

If you currently suffer from heart disease, managing your stress is still important to keeping your heart as healthy and strong as possible. Looking for a cardiac surgeon to assess your condition? Dr. Peter Mikhail is a cardiac surgeon based in New Port Richey, Florida. He performs mitral valve surgery and mini-AVR on patients with mitral valve disease and aortic valve disease. To book an appointment, click here or call (727) 312-4844.

Although minimally invasive, mitral valve surgery or mini-AVR are major procedures that are taxing on the body. With any type of surgery, the recovery period is important. After valve surgery, a patient will spend several days in the hospital while the doctor and nurses monitor recovery and pain. After 4 to 6 weeks post-op, your doctor will schedule a follow up appointment to check in on your recovery. For this post, we want to share some thoughts and tips about recovery from heart valve surgery. Recovery is different for each patient, but there are many things to follow and take note of that will help you recover faster and better.

Listen to your doctor, and follow the recovery instructions given to you at the hospital.
- Questions to ask your doctor about your recovery
  - Am I able to lift things on my own? How heavy?
  - When can I drive a car?
  - When can I go back to work?
  - Should I be exercising? What can I do or not do?
  - What medications will I be taking or should stop taking?
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help or accept someone’s offer to help you. Whether it’s making food or running an errand, a family member or friend can help you do daily tasks while you get as much rest as you can.
- Eat a healthy diet full of variety. Fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish and whole grains are recommended. Your doctor will recommend the best diet plan for you to follow.
- Take note: there are some things you may not be able to do easily right after heart valve surgery, including: tying your shoes, climbing stairs, cooking, raising your arms above your head, sitting up on your own, or cleaning.
- You may hear your new heart valve as it opens and closes.

If you have been diagnosed with mitral valve disease or aortic valve disease, meet with Dr. Peter Mikhail to discuss your surgical options. Dr. Mikhail is a cardiac surgeon in New Port Richey, Florida, specializing in mitral valve surgery and mini-AVR. To book a consult and for more information, click here or call 727-312-4844.

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You’ve probably heard and read a thousand times about the best diets or foods to eat to be heart healthy; however, do you know the foods it’s best for you to avoid? Nutrition is an extremely important aspect to focus on when currently living with heart disease. Food can either act like a medicine or a poison based on your choices. You want to stay as healthy as possible while living with this disease before treatment, during treatment, and after treatment.

When your heart isn’t functioning at its best, it’s best to stay clear of certain foods to remain as healthy as possible. Below are some foods you should think about limiting or avoiding if you’re currently suffering from heart disease.

Highly Processed/Refined Grains and Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are great for your body; they supply the body with energy; however, when a carbohydrate is processed or refined, it loses most of its health benefits (fiber, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals). Processed foods usually come with added ingredients like sodium and trans fats. Some examples include: white bread, white rice, instant oatmeal, and some cereals.

Processed/Refined Sugars

Sugar, in moderation, won’t harm you, but if you consume enough of it, it can harm your heart by raising blood pressure and triglycerides. High dosages of sugar can be found in soda, some cereals, candy, baked goods, canned foods, and juice.

Certain Fats

Trans fats and saturated fats are not the “good” kind of fat. These types of fat can raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol and contribute to clogged arteries. Foods known for their high trans fats and saturated fats include: fried food, margarine, doughnuts, biscuits, cakes, and pies.

High Sodium

Your body needs sodium. It helps keep your blood pressure in check, as well as maintain proper fluid levels in the body. If you consume too much sodium, your kidneys cannot process it all so the remaining sodium can elevate your blood pressure. Too much sodium can put a person at risk for heart failure, a heart attack, kidney failure or a stroke. Foods with high sodium include: canned soups, processed meats, fast food, salted nuts, canned vegetables, frozen meals.

Overall, it’s best to practice moderation in all things, especially in your diet if you are currently suffering from heart disease. One slice of pie at the holidays won’t harm you, but it’s best to avoid the above-mentioned foods with your heart in a fragile state.

If you’re in need of a great surgeon to perform mitral valve surgery or mini-AVR, Dr. Peter Mikhail is a cardiac surgeon in New Port Richey, Florida, who specializes in these surgeries. To book a consult or for more information, click here or call 727-312-4844.

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Is your heart healthy? Currently, you may not be experiencing any heart issues, but that doesn’t mean a serious condition isn’t developing inside your chest. If you have a family history of heart problems and currently aren’t living the healthiest lifestyle, you are at a higher risk of developing major heart problems, including mitral valve disease, a heart attack, or stroke. The best thing you can do is take preventative measures to protect your heart.

What are some preventative measures? There are plenty of things a person can do to be heart healthy. By adding these below suggestions to your everyday life, your heart will thank you. In fact, you may feel generally better from all the positives changes you’ve made to your lifestyle.

Preventative measures to stay heart-healthy include:

Eating a balanced, healthy diet filled with good fats, vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and lean proteins.
Exercise! Being active daily is important. Aim for at least 30 minutes of activity daily. Sometimes, it can be hard to get up and move. We all enjoy relaxing and being lazy from time to time. Try to choose activities that you find fun. Dancing, biking, walking, lifting weights, Zumba class, and yoga are just a few examples of great ways to get in your daily activity.
If you’re overweight, make the conscious decision to drop some weight. Excess weight puts stress on your heart and arteries.
If you have high blood sugar, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, this is your opportunity to make diet changes to help bring your levels back to normal. Every person is different, so it’s best you talk to your doctor about what diet changes are right for you to manage your blood pressure or sugar levels.
Quit smoking.
Get at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep at night.
Find ways to reduce your daily stress, whether you choose to meditate, read a book, talk to a friend, or watch a favorite TV show.

Not all heart-related diseases can be prevented; however, it is in your best interest, whether or not you’ve been diagnosed with a heart-related issue, to try to live the healthiest life possible.

If you’ve been diagnosed with mitral valve disease and need surgery, Dr. Peter Mikhail is a specialist in mitral valve surgery in New Port Richey, Florida. To learn more, click the Mitral Valve Surgery page, or call 727-312-4844.

One of the best ways to take care of your heart is through your diet. Unfortunately, all heart diseases or conditions are not entirely preventable, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to prevent yourselves from getting the ones that are. When you eat a heart-healthy diet, you aren’t just keeping your heart healthy, you’re keeping your entire body healthy. When a person’s body is working properly in all other areas, it causes less stress on the heart each day.

Unsure of what to eat? We can help! Our team wanted to share some of the best heart-healthy foods you should be adding into your diet. Whether you’re healthy, currently suffering from a heart condition or are a post-op heart surgery patient, these foods are essential for you to live a healthy life.

Nuts – Nuts are filled with omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. They also have a lot of fiber. Almonds, walnuts, and macadamia nuts are the best choices.
Berries – Berries (blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries) are packed with anti-inflammatory propertieis, which helps ward off heart disease.
Legumes – Legumes, like black beans and lentils, are filled with omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and fiber.
Oatmeal – Like nuts and legumes, oatmeal also is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. This morning staple also is a good source for folate, fiber, and potassium. Oatmeal is known to lower bad cholesterol, which helps artery health.
Salmon – This fish is an amazing source of omega-3 fatty acids, and it is known to help lower blood pressure, which in turn takes stress off the heart and also reduces the chances of developing clots. Salmon also contains the antioxidant, carotenoid astaxanthin.
Avocado – Avocados are full of monounsaturated fat, which helps lower bad cholesterol levels and raises good cholesterol levels.

Other heart healthy foods: Olive oil, chickpeas, kidney beans, spinach, flaxseed, soy, and tuna.

If you currently are suffering from a heart condition like mitral valve disease or aortic valve disease, Dr. Peter Mikhail is a thoracic and cardiac surgeon in New Port Richey, FL, who performs mitral valve surgery and mini-AVR. He also advises his patients on the best diets based on their condition. To book a consult with Dr. Mikhail, click here or call his office at 727-312-4844.

Have you been diagnosed with a calcified valve? Or, you know someone who has? Heart valve calcification is a form of heart valve disease. If you or a loved one is suffering from this condition, you (and they) are not alone. In fact, more than 5 million people are diagnosed with heart valve disease in the United States every year.

In this article, we will discuss the basis on heart valve calcification so you can better understand the condition and all that it entails. When the heart valve becomes calcified, this means there is a large quantity of calcium built up in the valve over the course of many years. Most often, the aortic valve is the valve that is affected by calcification, and this condition is called aortic stenosis. However, the mitral valve can becomes calcified, as well.

As the calcium builds up, it becomes hard and thick, which causes the valve to become narrower. When the valve is narrow, it is no longer opening and closing properly so blood flow to the heart becomes lessened and constricted. This calcium blockage puts pressure on the heart to work harder.

Calcification of a heart valve can occur for a number of reasons. One reason is age. Another reason is genetics. But, a person’s lifestyle can also contribute to heart valve calcification. Smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and chronic kidney disease can lead to calcium build up.

If you have a calcified valve, there is a chance you have experienced some not-so-pleasant symptoms. Some symptoms of this condition include: chest pain, light-headedness, shortness of breath.

If a valve with this condition is left untreated, it may potentially cause a person’s heart to enlarge or thicken. If this occurs, a person will certainly begin to feel worse. If calcification/stenosis is severe enough, it could lead to cardiac arrest, but usually getting control of symptoms and getting aortic valve surgery or mitral valve surgery solves this problem.

If you have aortic valve stenosis or mitral valve stenosis and are eligible for surgery, book a consult with mitral valve and aortic valve surgeon expert Dr. Peter Mikhail. Dr. Mikhail is based in New Port Richey, Florida. Make an appointment with him today to decide what type of surgery is best for you and your current condition. Click here or call 727-312-4822 to book an appointment with Dr. Mikhail.

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Once it’s been decided that you are a candidate for mitral valve or aortic valve surgery, there are two different types of surgery that can be done: valve repair and valve replacement.

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