Be prepared to ask your physician questions about your heart valve choice for your heart valve replacement surgery. Sample questions are listed below.

What are the risks to heart valve replacement surgery?

How many valve procedures, repair or replacement, have you done?

Do you recommend a mechanical or a tissue valve?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

What the differences between mechanical valve designs?

How do the different mechanical valves compare in terms of:

  • Resisting blood clots
  • Physiologic blood flow
  • Durability
  • Quality of life
  • Sound

What do I need to do to prepare for surgery?

How long will my recovery time be after surgery?

How soon before I can return to my normal activities?

Are there any precautions I should follow after my surgery?

What symptoms should I look for that might indication a problem with my new valve?

What do I need to know about anticoagulation therapy?

What is the best way for me to monitor my anticoagulation therapy?

Is there a way I can monitor my anticoagulation therapy from home?

 

 

PDF version of questions to ask your doctor about heart valve replacement
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