What is a common treatment option for heart valve disease?

Valve repair or replacement surgery is a common treatment option for heart valve disease because it addresses the underlying structural issues that affect the heart's ability to function properly. Heart valve disease can result from a variety of conditions, including congenital defects, rheumatic fever, or degenerative changes, leading to stenosis (narrowing of the valve) or regurgitation (leakage of the valve).

When a valve is severely damaged, surgical intervention is often necessary to restore normal blood flow and alleviate symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and heart palpitations. Valve repair can involve techniques to correct the existing valve, while valve replacement involves substituting the damaged valve with a prosthetic one. This surgical approach is critical for patients who exhibit significant symptoms or whose heart function is compromised due to valve dysfunction.

While lifestyle modifications, cardiac rehabilitation, and medication management can play supportive roles in the overall management of heart disease, these options alone may not be sufficient for individuals with advanced valve disease requiring intricate corrective procedures. Therefore, surgery remains the definitive treatment for restoring normal heart function in these cases.