Valve Surgery in New Jersey

Heart valve replacement is considered a major surgery. The procedure can last two hours or more, and it addresses critical issues with the heart's ability to pump blood effectively. The seriousness is also underscored by the recovery period, which can take several weeks or months. However, for most people experiencing symptoms, the risk of leaving severe heart valve disease untreated is greater than the risks associated with the surgery.

You may be a candidate for valve surgery if your symptoms are not effectively managed by medication or less invasive procedures like balloon valvuloplasty. A surgeon will evaluate your specific condition and overall health to determine the most suitable type of valve surgery for you.

Recovery from heart valve surgery typically takes about four to eight weeks, though it can be shorter for minimally invasive procedures. Most people can expect to feel tired for the first few weeks. It may take one to two months to fully regain your energy. You will likely have restrictions on activities like driving and lifting heavy objects for several weeks to allow your body to heal.

As with any major surgery, heart valve replacement has risks. Potential complications can include bleeding, infection, blood clots, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), stroke, and heart attack. In some cases, the replacement valve can fail or you may develop an infection in the new valve. Your age and overall health can influence the level of risk. Your surgical team will discuss these risks with you based on your personal health profile.

The main difference lies in the surgical approach. Traditional valve surgery is typically an open-heart procedure where the surgeon makes a large incision in the chest to access and replace the valve.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), on the other hand, is a minimally invasive procedure. Instead of opening the chest, a new valve is delivered to the heart through a thin tube called a catheter, which is usually inserted into a blood vessel in the groin or chest. TAVR generally involves a shorter recovery time compared to open-heart surgery. It was initially an option for patients considered too high-risk for traditional surgery, but its use has expanded.

Hackensack University Medical Center and Jersey Shore University Medical Center were named High Performing hospitals in procedures and conditions for Aortic Valve Surgery by U.S. News & World Report in 2025-2026. Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Hackensack University Medical Center received 3-Star awards for valve procedures from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Hackensack University Medical Center have earned 3-star ratings from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons for the quality of Mitral Valve Replacement or Repair and Aortic Valve Replacement (Hackensack) and Aortic Valve Replacement combined with CABG (Jersey Shore).

Hackensack University Medical Center is one of the few hospitals in the nation to use MitraClip pairing with fusion imaging, a revolutionary approach to treating people with severely advanced heart failure.

Cardiac experts at Jersey Shore University Medical Center are experienced leaders in using MitraClip, having performed more procedures in 2021 than any other hospital in New York and New Jersey.