Call it the heart’s main attraction. “The aortic valve is the valve between the heart, the main pumping chamber of the heart, and the aorta is the artery that provides blood to the entire body,” says, Dr. Randall Buss, a cardiothoracic surgeon on the medical staff of Lee Memorial Health System.

There’s no lifetime guarantee when it comes to a working aortic valve. Just recently, comedian Robin Williams and former First Lady Barbara Bush both had to have theirs replaced. “One of two things are happening, one the most common? The aortic valve is blocked,” explains Dr. Buss. “A second problem we can have is when the valve is opening but it’s not closing properly and it’s leading backwards into the heart.”

Having your heartbeat checked by a physician during a routine physical is essential because sometimes you won’t even notice there’s a problem. “Patients with aortic valve stenosis can go without symptoms. But if they do, they develop chest pain, they can develop dizzy spells or fainting spells, and can develop symptoms of heart failure such as shortness of breath,” adds Dr. Buss.

Aortic valve replacements come in two different forms. A biological one such as a pig or calf valve is generally used for patients 65 years of age or older, since these valves tend to have a 15 year lifespan. “The second type of valve is a mechanical valve (cover with mechanical disk) which I have another example here. This is a very good valve that will last forever but you will have to take the blood thinner, Coumadin for the rest of their life,” says Dr. Buss.

Recovery time is generally quick. After a few days in the hospital, Dr. Buss says patients are functioning normally in a few weeks.