CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Balloon valvuloplasty
- No.1 in the UK for private cardiac care
- Appointments in as little as 24 hours
- 99% of our cardiac patients would recommend us to friends and family
Jump to
BALLOON VALVULOPLASTY AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
We’re here to help with any and every aspect of your heart health. That’s why we offer access to over 250 expert cardiology consultants, state-of-the-art technology and modern, comfortable facilities.
When it comes to your heart, you can be sure that you’re in safe hands with HCA UK. We’re a trusted provider of private cardiac and thoracic care in the UK, with 99% of our patients happy to recommend us to their family and friends.
When it comes to your heart, you can be sure that you’re in safe hands with HCA UK. We’re a trusted provider of private cardiac and thoracic care in the UK, with 99% of our patients happy to recommend us to their family and friends.
Balloon valvuloplasty is a minimally invasive procedure to treat a narrowed valve in your heart, such as your aortic valve or your mitral valve, without open heart surgery. The technique uses a balloon to expand your valve and improve your blood flow.
If any of the valves in your heart have narrowed (stenosis), it slows the blood flow and can lead to symptoms including breathlessness, chest pain, dizziness and fatigue. A balloon valvuloplasty can expand the valve, to increase the blood flow. It can be used as a standalone treatment for stenosis, or as a temporary measure to stabilise your condition before having further heart surgery, such as valve replacement.
It’s a minimally invasive procedure. If it’s an aortic valve valvuloplasty, it only requires light sedation and a local anaesthetic. A mitral valve valvuloplasty may require a general anaesthetic. A thin tube (catheter) with a balloon on the end is inserted into a vein in your groin. It’s guided through that vein using X-ray and a special dye that highlights your blood vessels and heart valves, until it reaches the valve that needs treatment.
The balloon is inflated, which expands the valve, then deflated and removed, leaving you with an expanded valve and improved blood flow.
The balloon is inflated, which expands the valve, then deflated and removed, leaving you with an expanded valve and improved blood flow.
250+
Cardiology consultants for you to choose from
36,000+
Cardiac patients treated every year
48 hours
Fast access to diagnostic test results
Rapid access to tests and scans
See a specialist and get on the path to an expert diagnosis in as little as 24 hours.
State-of-the-art facilities
Access innovative treatment options.
Wide-reaching expertise across the UK
Visit any of our 15 dedicated diagnostic centres in London, Manchester and Birmingham.
YOUR BALLOON VALVULOPLASTY PROCEDURE
What to expect
If you need treatment to expand a narrowed valve in your heart (stenosis), we want you to feel safe, comfortable and fully informed at every stage of the process.
Your dedicated cardiology consultant and their team will be there for you from initial diagnosis through to your procedure and aftercare, and they’ll give you all the details, but this should give you a good idea of what to expect from the process. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your condition, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Your dedicated cardiology consultant and their team will be there for you from initial diagnosis through to your procedure and aftercare, and they’ll give you all the details, but this should give you a good idea of what to expect from the process. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your condition, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
01
Consultation
You’ll need to see a cardiology consultant as the first step. It’s a chance for you to describe your symptoms in detail and share any questions or concerns you may have.
Your consultant will ask about your overall health and medical history, get details of any current or previous cardiac treatment, and note any medications you’re taking. Then they’ll book you in for the tests and scans you need prior to surgery.
Your consultant will ask about your overall health and medical history, get details of any current or previous cardiac treatment, and note any medications you’re taking. Then they’ll book you in for the tests and scans you need prior to surgery.
02
Tests and scans
You’ll need to have several tests before your balloon valvuloplasty procedure, to assess your heart’s condition and make sure the procedure is appropriate for you. These will include a CT scan and an ECG (electrocardiogram), and may also include cardiac catheterisation, which involves inserting a catheter into one of your blood vessels to check how well your blood is flowing.
Once your tests have been conducted, you’ll have a follow-up appointment with your consultant, where they’ll explain your test results in detail, and how they affect your specific surgical procedure.
Once your tests have been conducted, you’ll have a follow-up appointment with your consultant, where they’ll explain your test results in detail, and how they affect your specific surgical procedure.
03
The procedure itself
Balloon valvuloplasty is a minimally invasive procedure. A catheter with a small balloon on the end will be inserted into your blood vessel through small incision in your groin and guided up to your heart using X-ray and a special dye.
When it reaches the right valve, the balloon will be inflated to expand the diameter of your heart valve, then deflated. The catheter is then withdrawn from your heart and back out through your vein.
The whole procedure should take between 30-90 minutes.
When it reaches the right valve, the balloon will be inflated to expand the diameter of your heart valve, then deflated. The catheter is then withdrawn from your heart and back out through your vein.
The whole procedure should take between 30-90 minutes.
04
Recovery and aftercare
One the surgery is over, you’ll be taken to your private room to recover, where you’ll get fluids and medication, and we’ll check your heart rhythm and your incision. As this procedure only involves a small incision, you shouldn’t need to stay in hospital for long.
Depending on how the procedure went, you should be able to go home on the same day, or after an overnight stay. You won’t be allowed to drive, so make sure to arrange for someone to help you get home.
You’ll need to avoid strenuous activity for five to seven days, and drink plenty of water to flush out the contrast dye used to guide the catheter. Your consultant will arrange for a follow-up appointment to check your progress.
Depending on how the procedure went, you should be able to go home on the same day, or after an overnight stay. You won’t be allowed to drive, so make sure to arrange for someone to help you get home.
You’ll need to avoid strenuous activity for five to seven days, and drink plenty of water to flush out the contrast dye used to guide the catheter. Your consultant will arrange for a follow-up appointment to check your progress.
Where can I get balloon valvuloplasty surgery?
You can get expert diagnosis, surgery and help with your recovery from one of four dedicated HCA UK hospitals in London and Birmingham.
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Balloon valvuloplasty surgery FAQ
The procedure is a short, minimally invasive procedure, and so it doesn’t require any major preparation. However, your consultant will advise you when to stop eating and drinking beforehand, and when to stop taking any medications. You’ll have a short check-up before your sedation and anaesthetic are administered.
Recovery from the procedure itself should be short. You may need to stay in hospital overnight, but most patients get to go home the same day.
You’ll need to rest and take things easy for around a week afterwards and make sure to take care of the incision in your groin to prevent infection. Then you can gradually start returning to your regular routine, including driving, work and light exercise.
You may be prescribed some blood-thinning medication to help aid your recovery. Your consultant will also arrange for follow-up appointments to check on your progress.
You’ll need to rest and take things easy for around a week afterwards and make sure to take care of the incision in your groin to prevent infection. Then you can gradually start returning to your regular routine, including driving, work and light exercise.
You may be prescribed some blood-thinning medication to help aid your recovery. Your consultant will also arrange for follow-up appointments to check on your progress.
Any procedure carries some risks. Balloon valvuloplasty is minimally invasive, which means fewer risks than open heart surgery.
It’s possible for your incision to bleed excessively or become infected, and there’s also a risk that your heart valve may be damaged, or that it’ll re-narrow after the procedure, but this is rare. We have a 99% success rate across our cardiac surgeries, and this is a common and safe procedure. Your consultant will talk to you in detail about your specific condition, and any risks your treatment carries.
Our patients’ stories
"Time is of the essence with my heart, as I have diabetes"
Saleem, 57, keeps an active lifestyle to remain fit and healthy. He plays badminton once a week and goes for a walk in the morning and evening every day. Despite having type 2 diabetes, he continues to have a balanced and energetic life.
Treating Helaina's heart rhythm disorder
Helaina from Northamptonshire was just 16 when she began experiencing unusual symptoms, including shortness of breath and heart palpitations, which rapidly worsened. She was otherwise fit, healthy and a huge lover of the great outdoors, leading to her family to grow concerned.
A simple heart screening revealed Mahmoud’s tumour
At 55, Mahmoud had never felt fitter. The orthodontist from northwest London enjoyed daily exercise classes and a range of sports. It was only when a relative was diagnosed with cardiovascular disease that his wife suggested he arrange a routine heart health check-up.
“I've never felt happier. My husband and I are retired - we both love to travel and had to cancel our holidays. We can now look forward to going to Japan!”
Reviewed by
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.