CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Heart valve surgery
- No.1 in the UK for private cardiac care
- Appointments confirmed within 24 hours
- 99% of cardiac patients would recommend us to friends and family
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HEART VALVE SURGERY AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
Gain fast access to expert cardiac care from leading specialists in heart valve surgery at our leading private hospitals and outpatient centres. With over 1,000 cardiac surgeries performed in the last three years, and a success rate above 99%, you can rest assured you'll be in the safest hands.
As the UK’s No.1 provider of private cardiac care, we offer pioneering, minimally invasive techniques that help you get back to your daily life as quickly and safely as possible. No wonder 99% of the 36,000 people we help each year say they’d recommend us to family and friends.
Heart valve surgery is a procedure to correct heart valve problems by either repairing a damaged heart valve or replacing it with a new valve. Replacement valves can be artificial (mechanical) or made from animal or human tissue.
Heart valve surgery is usually performed via an incision through the chest (sternotomy), but, in some cases, it can also be done via keyhole or percutaneous (transcatheter) surgery. Generally, minimally invasive procedures lead to faster recovery times.
Heart valve surgery is usually performed via an incision through the chest (sternotomy), but, in some cases, it can also be done via keyhole or percutaneous (transcatheter) surgery. Generally, minimally invasive procedures lead to faster recovery times.
Heart valve surgery is typically offered to patients with heart valve disease that is severe or causing symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath and tiredness. Repairing or replacing a damaged or diseased heart valve can help prevent long-term damage to the heart.
While all surgery carries risks, heart valve surgery is generally safe. Your surgeon will discuss any potential complications with you, including the risk of infection, bleeding or blood clots. They will also discuss the risks of not having surgery.
36,000+
Cardiac patients treated every year
99%
Success rate across all cardiac surgery
250+
Cardiology consultants for you to choose from
Next-day appointments
See a specialist and get on the path to an expert diagnosis in as little as 24 hours.
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours.
Wide-reaching expertise across the UK
Choose from 5 hospitals and 15 diagnostic centres in London, Manchester and Birmingham.
Your heart valve surgery with HCA UK
What to expect
From the moment you step through the door, until you’re ready to leave, we want you to feel as comfortable as possible. We do this by letting you know what to expect at each stage.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here or in the FAQ section below, please contact your patient support team or clinical nurse specialist who will be able to help.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here or in the FAQ section below, please contact your patient support team or clinical nurse specialist who will be able to help.
01
Initial consultation
Whether you’ve self-referred, or you have a referral from a GP, your first consultation will usually be with one of our cardiac specialists so they can examine you, find out more about your symptoms, and address any questions or concerns you may have.
Your consultant will ask you about your medical history and symptoms and arrange any imaging or diagnostic tests you might need.
Your consultant will ask you about your medical history and symptoms and arrange any imaging or diagnostic tests you might need.
02
Tests and scans
Most of the time, you will complete any cardiac tests and imaging scans during the same week and receive your results within 48 hours. Tests you may need include:
- Echocardiogram (ultrasound scan of the heart)
- Coronary angiogram (X-ray scan of your heart arteries)
- CT with 3D reconstruction
- Chest X-ray
- Blood tests
Your case will be presented to the specialised dedicated cardiac multidisciplinary team, who hold regular meetings to ensure the highest level of best medical practice based on GMC guidelines.
03
Your procedure
Depending on whether you need open or endoscopic surgery, the duration and preparation for your surgery will be different. Your consultant will discuss your specific procedure with you in detail.
04
Follow-up and after care
Immediately following surgery, you will spend a day or more in intensive care, before being moved to the cardiac ward for a few days to a week to recover. Your team of cardiac nurses will continue to monitor your blood pressure and heart rate until discharge.
You'll need to arrange for someone to take you home from hospital. You'll also need help at home for a couple of weeks following the procedure. Recovery from open heart surgery can take several weeks, with restrictions on lifting and strenuous activity. If you have a minimally invasive procedure you may benefit from faster recovery times.
If you are taking anticoagulants, you will need to have regular blood tests locally until you are stabilised on the tablet. You will be seen by your consultant about six weeks after the operation. You may be offered cardiac rehabilitation to help with physical and mental recovery.
You'll need to arrange for someone to take you home from hospital. You'll also need help at home for a couple of weeks following the procedure. Recovery from open heart surgery can take several weeks, with restrictions on lifting and strenuous activity. If you have a minimally invasive procedure you may benefit from faster recovery times.
If you are taking anticoagulants, you will need to have regular blood tests locally until you are stabilised on the tablet. You will be seen by your consultant about six weeks after the operation. You may be offered cardiac rehabilitation to help with physical and mental recovery.
OUR LOCATIONS
Where can I have heart valve surgery?
Across our extensive network of hospitals and treatment centres, our leading consultants are here to support you, from initial consultation through to aftercare. You can have your heart valve surgery at the following locations:
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
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.
Heart valve surgery FAQs
Your consultant will explain the procedure, explain any side effects and answer any questions you may have. They will give you details of how to prepare prior to your surgery. As you'll be having a general anaesthetic, they will ask you to stop eating and drinking for six hours or more beforehand.
Surgeons prefer to repair valves rather than replace them but many valves cannot be repaired. If this is the case, your surgeon will discuss the options for valve replacement with you, including whether to opt for mechanical or tissue valves.
Your actual procedure will vary according to whether you need open or minimally invasive surgery. Your consultant will discuss all this with you in detail beforehand.
Your actual procedure will vary according to whether you need open or minimally invasive surgery. Your consultant will discuss all this with you in detail beforehand.
You can expect to stay in hospital for anything from a few days to a week after your procedure, depending on your specific condition and the type of surgery you’re having.
If you have a tissue valve replacement, you may need to take an anticoagulant medicine for two to three months. This is to prevent blood clotting on the new valve and the sutures. If you have a mechanical valve replacement, you’ll need to continue with this medication for the rest of your life. Your consultant and team will provide all the information you need on what to expect after surgery.
You may be able to return to work a few weeks after your surgery, but this will depend on the type of job you have – whether your job involves manual or strenuous activity for example. Your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine.
Patient stories
How a valve replacement helped Steve breathe easy again
When Steve found out his breathlessness was caused by a narrowed aortic valve, he was terrified of the thought of the open-heart surgery that might be needed to treat it. But with the expertise of Professor Sagar Doshi at The Harborne Hospital, he learned he could have a ‘keyhole’ alternative called TAVI.
Kirti's heart rhythm story
How a life-changing cardiac procedure stopped Kirti worrying about her heart health. Kirti first felt a heart palpitation back in 2016 whilst out shopping. After delaying seeking specialist advice, she sought the expertise of Dr Mike Koa-Wing, Consultant Cardiologist at The Wellington Hospital, in 2020 after the palpations got worse. Here Kirti shares her story.
Solving Alex’s undiagnosed heart condition
At the age of 12, dancer Alex Brookes began experiencing irregular heart palpations. After initially being told it was nothing to worry about, her symptoms persisted and her mum decided it was best to seek medical advice and chose The Portland Hospital.
“I’m full of energy, doing the garden again and have my confidence back.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.