CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Heart valve disease, a common issue as people age, can be delayed through simple lifestyle changes, according to Dr. Jonathan Rapp, an interventional cardiologist at the TriHealth Heart and Vascular Institute.
“Valves separate the chambers of the heart and they can go wrong essentially in two ways,” Rapp said. “They can become stiff, narrow and not open – which blocks blood flow. Or they can stop closing well – which makes them leak.”
Rapp explained that the most common procedure for addressing valve issues is the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). He noted that age is the primary reason valves deteriorate, but lifestyle habits can help delay problems.
Paige Morckel, who exercises regularly at the YMCA, shared, “Today’s actually my easy day, I’m not running today, I did a weight lifting class and I’m doing the elliptical for an hour.” She added, “It gives me energy and makes me feel good.”
Rapp also emphasized the benefits of quitting smoking, stating, “There are very few smokers that come to me with a valve problem at age 90.”
For those who do need a valve fix and experience symptoms like shortness of breath or chest pain, Dr. Joseph Choo, a structural heart intervention specialist, highlighted the advancements in treatment.
“Replacing valves, repairing valves basically, closing communications that are causing undue stress on the heart, all from the access points of the veins and the arteries, letting the patients have a much easier recovery,” Choo said.
Research indicates that these less invasive techniques offer similar outcomes to open-heart surgery, allowing patients to recover faster and return to their desired quality of life.