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MITRAL VALVE BLOG

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Is Your Heart Healthy?

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.

 

 

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The Best Foods to Stay Heart Healthy

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.

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Mechanical Valves Vs. Biological Tissue Valves

If you’re suffering from mitral valve disease or aortic valve disease, you probably know by now if you are going to need surgery or not on your valves. If you do need surgery, you probably also know if you’re going to need a valve repair or a replacement. For this article, we are focusing on those patients who will need a valve replacement.

When it has been decided that you need a valve replacement, the next decision becomes, “Do I need a mechanical valve or a biological tissue valve?” It is up to you if you want to make this decision alongside your doctor, or if you just trust the doctor’s judgment. However, since it is your heart, it’s always good to know what these valves are and the differences between them.

Mechanical Valves – A mechanical valve can last inside a person’s body for more than 20 years. They are made from pyrolytic carbon. Most likely, you will only need valve surgery once, and never have to replace the valve. Unfortunately, mechanical valves can cause blood clots, so to combat this a patient needs to be on blood thinners, like Coumadin, for the rest of his or her life to prevent clots from forming in the valve. These valves are good for people under 60 years old. If a patient is already on a blood thinner, then a mechanical valve is an easier choice. Sometimes, mechanical valves can be heard when they are open and closing, but most patients are not disturbed by the noise.

Biological Valves – A biological tissue valve comes from pig heart valves or a cow heart sac. Biological tissue valves often have to be replaced because they only last 10 to 18 years. A patient’s life expectancy is highly considered with this valve, since he or she will most likely need another surgery when the first tissue valve degenerates. The valves are recommended for patients 60 years old or older. If the patient doesn’t want to be on a blood thinner for life, a biological tissue valve is the way to go.

So, which heart valve do you choose? This is entirely up to you, your age, your health history and your doctor’s expert medical opinion. Weigh the pros and cons of each valve. You want to choose the best option for you to lead the healthiest life.

If you’re looking for a cardiac surgeon to perform your heart valve surgery and discuss valve replacement options, book a consult with Dr. Peter Mikhail who is based in New Port Richey, Florida. Dr. Mikhail is one of the foremost authorities and specialists in mitral valve surgery and he also performs mini-AVR. To book a consultation, click here or call his office at 727-312-4844.

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What Is A Calcified Heart Valve?

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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Heart Disease and Genetics

Is heart valve disease genetic? Yes, it can be. If you have a family member who has suffered or is currently suffering from a heart valve disease, it is a good idea to go to a cardiologist and get tests and screenings done to rule out if you have the same issue going on with your own valves.  These conditions can be caused by a defect in the genes or a chromosome.

Even if you have the right gene mutation that caused valve disease in your family, you yourself still may not ever have a valve problem. Doctors and researchers are still working on the link between these genetic mutations and diseases and the effects they truly have. There is a good chance the mutated genes can affect each person in the family differently, or not even affect them at all.

What does this mean? Well, it’s not always up to the genes. Sometimes, it’s a person’s lifestyles choices and environmental surroundings combined with their family history that can shape what occurs with the genes in his or her body. If there is a history of heart valve disease in your family, there will always be an increased risk for yourself, especially if the family member was younger when they developed the disease.

If you have a family history of heart disease, or even more specifically heart valve disease, you should get your cholesterol and blood pressure tested regularly throughout adulthood. Also, you should be tested for diabetes every year.

To avoid (as much as possible) developing heart valve disease, it is in your best interest to pay attention to your diet, activity level, and weight. Eat a well-balanced diet, aim for daily exercise and make sure your weight is in a healthy range. People who are overweight or obese increase their risk for heart disease by potentially having diabetes, high blood pressure, and low levels of good cholesterol.

If you have a family history of heart disease or have the warning signs of heart disease, it’s time to see a doctor. If you currently have mitral valve disease or aortic valve disease, you may be a candidate for minimally invasive mitral valve surgery or mini-AVR. To book a consult to discuss surgical options, call Dr. Peter Mikhail’s office at 727-312-4844 or click here. Dr. Mikhail is a thoracic and cardiac surgeon in New Port Richey, Florida.

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Dr. Peter Mikhail is a thoracic and cardiac surgeon in Tampa, Clearwater, and New Port Richey, Florida. Dr. Mikhail is Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery, The American Board of Thoracic Surgery and The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

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