What changing your treatment plan for aortic stenosis really looks like
By ShareMD Connect
Aortic stenosis is generally a progressive disease, so it usually gets worse over time. That means you may need to change your treatment plan - maybe even more than once - to ensure that you’re properly managing your disease.
Changing your treatment plan may sound intimidating, overwhelming, scary, or annoying, but doing so could save your life. Here’s what changing your treatment plan for aortic stenosis really looks like.
Working through the concerns
Is changing my treatment something I really need to do?
Many people question if changing their treatment plan is necessary - especially if they have no symptoms or mild to moderate symptoms that are only somewhat impacting their quality of life.
You can live with mild versions of the disease for a long time without the need to change treatments as long as you’re seeing your cardiologist regularly for monitoring.
But for those whose disease has progressed to severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis, changing your treatment plan from “watch and wait” or symptom management to surgery is a life or death decision.
Surgical valve replacement is the only proven treatment for severe aortic stenosis, and there’s a 50% chance you’ll die within a year if you don’t seek surgical treatment. If that’s not enough motivation, studies have shown that patients who undergo either SAVR or TAVR procedures experience a significant improvement in quality of life soon after the procedure.
So to answer the question: yes. Changing your treatment plan is really necessary.
How much time and money is it going to take to change treatments?
The answer to this question depends on your unique situation, but typically making the decision to change treatment plans should happen over a series of visits with your provider.
Your doctor should regularly run tests to monitor the progression of your aortic stenosis. If something new shows up, you may be sent for additional testing. While this will take time out of your life, remember that the risk of not showing up for these appointments is possible death within one year.
If you decide to change treatment plans and undergo surgery to replace your valve, you’ll need to plan for recovery. The time it takes to recover depends on many factors, including the procedure you choose, TAVR or SAVR.
As for cost - during the process of changing treatments, you’ll be in close contact with your insurance company to learn how much you can expect to pay out-of-pocket for any new treatments, including surgery. Your provider’s office should be able to help you understand these costs.
It is important to know that Medicare has volume requirements for TAVR procedures - meaning that it will only reimburse hospitals that perform a certain number of procedures per year. Be sure to check that the healthcare system you’re using is one of those covered by Medicare, if you are eligible, before scheduling your procedure.
What if this new treatment makes me feel worse?
Changing your treatment plan from “watch and wait” to symptom management with medication is unlikely to make you feel worse, but it is possible if you experience strong side effects from the prescriptions.
It’s important to discuss this concern with your doctor and make a plan for what you’ll do if you’re feeling worse after starting a new medication. Never hesitate to call your doctor’s office with immediate questions or concerns or to visit your local emergency room if you’re having a severe reaction.
However, changing your treatment plan to include surgery is unlikely to make you feel worse in the long run. SAVR and TAVR patients report a significant improvement in quality of life soon after their procedure. TAVR patients experience the fastest results, with many people reporting feeling better as soon as they wake up from surgery.
What to do if you’re still not sure about changing your treatment plan
Living with aortic stenosis is not easy. But it gets harder when symptoms get worse. If your quality of life is deteriorating or your disease has worsened, but you’re still unsure what to do, think about calling a ShareMD nurse.
ShareMD nurses are here to connect you with the care you need. Our team has decades of experience working in cardiology and understands the importance of evaluating all your options and receiving quality care.
Connecting with us is as simple as having a conversation. During a free, confidential phone call, you can confidently explain your situation and get help finding a solution. Our nurses will listen to your needs and work with you to find providers that could be a good fit. And, if you decide to, they can even help you set up an appointment.
There’s no catch, no obligation, and it’s free of charge. Our mission is to improve the quality of healthcare for everyone by enabling faster service and specialized support through human-centric care for everyone, not just the most privileged.