For those in Simi Valley, California who live with structural heart disease, finding an effective treatment is a top priority. At Cardiovascular Care Center, Dr. Shahrzad Shareghi helps men and women achieve lasting improvements in heart health. Through innovative procedures and state-of-the-art technology, many people are able to live long, healthy lives. If you’re ready to improve your heart health, schedule an appointment with Cardiovascular Care Center today. Online scheduling is available, or simply call the office.
Structural heart disease applies to defects or abnormalities in your heart that are unrelated to blood vessels. Many of these issues are present at birth, but they can also develop later in life through wear and tear. Infections can also cause structural heart defects.
Some of the more common structural heart conditions include:
These are some of the more common symptoms of structural heart disease, and they should prompt a call to your cardiovascular specialist:
Many of these symptoms are common to other medical issues. You know your body better than anyone, and if you feel that something just isn’t right, don’t hesitate to seek care.
A patent foramen ovale, or PFO, is a condition marked by a hole in the septal tissue that doesn’t close after birth. This tissue is supposed to create separation between the upper heart chambers.
When septal tissue is compromised, a flap can develop. That flap can open when pressure develops in your chest, such as during coughing or sneezing. A PFO is dangerous because it can enable oxygen-poor blood to mix with oxygen-rich blood.
Dr. Shareghi specializes in surgical closure of PFOs. Research shows that individuals with PFOs have higher rates of stroke, which is why it’s so important to repair this type of damage as soon as possible.
The valves in your heart play a vital role in ensuring that blood enters and exits the heart properly. When a heart valve is damaged, surgery is necessary to repair the damage and restore proper function.
A transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) positions a replacement valve in the same location as your damaged aortic valve. The replacement valve is collapsible, making it possible to position it using a narrow catheter.
This procedure is a good option for those who are ill-suited for valve replacement surgery, which often requires an open-heart surgical procedure. A TAVI procedure is done through arthroscopy, which is less invasive and requires less recovery time than traditional open surgery.
Dr. Shareghi specializes in these and other procedures to treat structural heart disease. If you learn that you have one or more of these conditions, it’s important to seek treatment as quickly as possible. Proper cardiovascular intervention can help you live an active and healthy life.
