For instance there are some cardiologists and surgeons who consider atrial fibrillation and flutter a 'symptom' and would therefore replace or repair the valve as soon as the flutter occurs. Surely there are not any clear cut advantages to replacing a valve before the patient is symptomatic, especially given that there are risks inherent in valve replacement surgery in all individuals, even healthy patients. There are many unanswered questions regarding valve replacement or repair, until there are answers every patient should be treated individually with discussion of risks and benefits between patient and physician on a regular basis. It might allay your fears of surgery to find out what surgeon will be doing your surgery and how many valve replacements he does or has done. Let me just tell you that the risks of not having the valve replaced on a timely basis are grave, including stroke and death, so as much as I understand anyone's fear of major surgery, I would hope this would not keep you from having much needed surgery in the future.
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