By: Susan Oser
NFBPWC Health Chair

Our health committee continues to keep on going. While one plan is made it evolves and changes with more discussions and more voices in the mix. Our meetings are held on the 3^rd Mondays of the month unless there is a conflict or a holiday. Our next meeting with be February 17, 2025, at 8pm ET.

Our signature event that we co-sponsor with Houston Methodist Hospital is Heart of a Woman, which is slated on February 7, 2025. Please see the details below.

If you are a former member of the health committee or would like to find an area where you could be involved, please contact me at health@nfbpwc.organd I will put you on my list. The more you can contribute, the easier it makes it for me. I’d love to have you.

Healthy Thinking for the Month:

February is a big month for heart health. Make sure you get your CT scans, and any check-ups that are heart-related to make sure everything is ok. Get active. Eat healthy. Do anything to lessen the chances of being a heart attack or heart disease victim.

Health Awareness Dates:

February is –

AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month; American Heart Month; Declutter For a Cause Month; Fasting February; International Boost Self-Esteem Month; International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month; Marfan Syndrome Awareness Month; Marijuana Awareness Month; National Care About Your Indoor Air Month; National Condom Month; National Children's Dental Health Month; National Hot Breakfast Month Link; National Pet Dental Health Month; National Self Check Month; National Snack Food Month; National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month; National Therapeutic Recreation Month; National Time Management Month; Pet Dental

Health Month; Relationship Wellness Month; Spay/Neuter Awareness Month; Wise Health Care Consumer Month; Worldwide Renaissance of the Heart Month

If you are a former member of the health committee or would like to find an area where you could be involved,

please contact me at health@nfbpwc.org and I will put you on my list. The more you can contribute, the easier it makes it for me. I’d love to have you.

Healthy Recipes –

If you would like to submit a healthy recipe to publish in future newsletters, please send them to health@nfbpwc.org

Article courtesy of Health Committee member Bonnie O’Leary, (WA) –

Aortic Valve Insufficiency: Understanding the Condition and Exploring Surgical Options, Including TAVR

Aortic valve insufficiency, also known as aortic regurgitation, occurs when the aortic valve in the heart fails to close properly. This valve, which consists of three leaflets, regulates blood flow between the left ventricle and the aorta, the major artery responsible for delivering oxygenated blood to the body and brain. Regurgitation leads to blood leaking backward into the heart, forcing it to work harder and reducing its efficiency in supplying oxygen to the body. Some

individuals may inherit a two-leaflet valve, a congenital defect that thickens over time and fails to close fully in adulthood.

Symptoms

Symptoms of aortic valve insufficiency can develop gradually or appear suddenly. Common signs include:

• Shortness of breath, especially during exertion

• Chest pain or tightness that worsens with activity

• Fatigue

• Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), such as a fluttering sensation

• Fainting or lightheadedness

• Swelling in the feet, ankles, or legs

The earliest symptoms are typically shortness of breath and fatigue. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor promptly, as this condition is one of the most common and serious forms of heart valve disease.

Causes and Risk Factors

Aortic valve insufficiency may result from various factors, including:

• Structural defects such as aortic stenosis

• Rheumaticfever,whichcancause inflammation and stiffen the valve

• Traumatic chest injuries

• Inflammatory conditions like endocarditis, lupus, or arthritis

• Infections such as syphilis

Risk factors include older age, chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Left untreated, the condition can lead to heart failure, arrhythmias, or sudden cardiac death. Preventive measures include maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle, monitoring blood pressure regularly, scheduling routine medical check-ups, and seeking immediate treatment for infections.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing aortic valve insufficiency has become straightforward with non-invasive methods like echocardiograms (ultrasound) and MRI scans. The condition is graded based on severity:

• Grade 1: Mild regurgitation

• Grade 2: Mild-to-moderate regurgitation

• Grade 3: Moderate-to-severe regurgitation

• Grade 4: Severe regurgitation

Treatment Options: TAVR

A significant advancement in treating this condition is the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure. Unlike traditional open-heart surgery, TAVR is minimally invasive and involves inserting a catheter through a vein in the upper leg to replace the faulty valve. The new artificial valve, which resembles

a crown with three functional leaflets, is positioned inside the existing valve and begins working immediately.

Key details of the TAVR procedure:

• Duration: Approximately one hour

• Recovery: Patients typically stay overnight and are discharged the next day

• Benefits: No chest incision is required, significantly reducing recovery time

Postoperative Care

Recovery from TAVR involves cardiac rehabilitation and adherence to medical guidelines. Recommendations include:

• Avoiding heavy lifting and limiting stairs

• Not driving until your doctor clears

• Monitoring the surgical site for infection

• Taking prescribed medications, including blood thinners if necessary

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition and avoiding smoking

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

• Fever above 100.4°F

• Persistent dizziness or lightheadedness

• Shortness of breath that doesn’t improve with rest

• Unrelenting pain or bleeding

Personal Experience

I underwent the TAVR procedure in the summer of 2020 after being diagnosed with severe aortic valve insufficiency. My symptoms included increasing shortness of breath, which I initially attributed to allergies and lung congestion. As a registered nurse, I had overlooked these signs until a radiology scan revealed that my valve’s opening was only 6% functional. Without intervention, I faced the possibility of sudden cardiac death within months.

The TAVR surgery was life-changing, enabling me to undergo another necessary major surgery shortly thereafter. Today, I lead a fuller, more active life, participating in activities like gardening, going to the gym, and spending time with my grandchildren.

Statistics and Call to Action

Delaying valve replacement in cases of severe aortic stenosis carries significant risks:

• 1 in 10 patients may die within five weeks without intervention

• Risk of death increases by 30% within six months, 40% within one year, and 50% within two years

Globally, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, who often experience delayed diagnoses and referrals for valve conditions. Be proactive about your cardiac care—seek a second opinion if necessary and advocate for timely treatment.

Final Thoughts

The TAVR procedure is a groundbreaking solution for aortic valve insufficiency. For those hesitant about pursuing treatment, I hope my story inspires you to take the necessary steps to improve your health and quality of life.

BONNIE O’LEARY, BSN, RN

BPW National Health Committee Member

References:

1. American Heart Association/ACC 2020 Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Valvular Heart Disease

2. Google Search: "Aortic Insufficiency Grading"

3. Google Search: "Post-Op Care After TAVR"

4. Abbott Structural Heart, www.cardiosmart.org/topics/aortic-stenosis

5. NewYork-Presbyterian,"AorticValveRegurgitation:SymptomsandCauses,"www.nyp.org/heart/heart-valves/aorticvalveregurgitation

Heart of a Woman Information

It is important to learn about our heart as women. It is one of the leading causes of death in women because, so few know its risk factors, warning signs, etc. Since February Heart Health Month, and a plethora of education will be out there on heart health education, the Houston Methodist Debakey Heart and Vascular Center will be holding their annual Heart of a Woman on February 7 starting at event at the Houston Methodist Research Institute. However, if you are not able to attend the event, there is a hybrid component to attend online and catch-up with any missed talks online in real time.

You can find out more information at this link here: https://learn.houstonmethodist.org/cardiovascular-disease/how-2025

One of the reasons it is such an important event for NFBPWC is that the organization has partnered with Houston Medical Hospital for the last few years. With this partnership, both organizations can connect on topics that cover and cross-reference women’s issues on both sides. They include topics such as effects of stress, on the cardiovascular system, work balance

life for women and health professionals, and under- representation of women in clinical trials. With this strong partnership, you are encouraged to represent NFBPWC in a big way, network with others outside of the organization, and learn something about your heart health too.

Hopefully, after this event the partnership can continue by asking some of the featured speakers to present their topics to the organization through the Health Committee or other organizations.

For more information on the Heart of a Woman event, please visit https://nfbpwc.wildapricot.org/heart-of-a-woman

Susan Oser

NFBPWC Health Chair