
How do you take care of your heart after 40?
As you find yourself hitting 40, you may start thinking about health issues you previously didn’t concern yourself with. Should heart health be one of them?
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive procedure that allows the heart’s aortic valve to be replaced using a catheter. TAVR is an alternative to traditional open heart surgery.
TAVR benefits over conventional open heart surgery:
If you have been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis you may be a candidate for TAVR.
Aortic stenosis occurs when the opening of the aortic valve becomes restricted and narrow due to a buildup of calcium on the valve leaflets. Aortic stenosis is most commonly a degenerative condition occurring in patients 65 and older as a result of wear and tear on the aortic valve. To compensate, the heart must work harder to pump blood through the constricted valve, which can weaken the heart.
Aortic stenosis can result in disabling and life-threatening symptoms of congestive heart failure, including shortness of breath, chest discomfort, dizziness or lightheadedness, syncope (fainting), fatigue and swelling.
At Ohio State, you’ll be evaluated and treated by our world-class team of heart valve experts, ensuring that you receive the most comprehensive care available, often as part of a one-step evaluation. Our patients are treated and cared for in the Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital, which has an entire floor dedicated to patients undergoing cardiac catheterization procedures such as aortic valve replacement. You’ll be cared for in a private, spacious room by a team of nurses and support staff who are experienced in caring for patients who have undergone a TAVR procedure.