Porter Health System Presents “The Beating Facts About Heart Valve Disease”

porterlogo.jpgDuring February, American Heart Month, Porter Health System will present “The Beating Facts about Heart Valve Disease,” by Heart Valve Surgeon Walid Khabbaz, MD. The program will be held at 6 pm, on Thursday, Feb. 24, at Porter’s Education & Rehabilitation Campus, 1401 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso.

According to Khabbaz, heart valve disease affects about five million Americans and occurs when one or more of your heart valves does not open fully and restricts blood flow, or does not close properly and allows blood to leak back into the heart chambers.

“Symptoms of heart valve disease are very similar to that of coronary disease such as chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue and edema of the lower extremities,” said Khabbaz. “Of course, the key is to get evaluated if you have any of these symptoms. Left untreated, heart valve disease can cause heart failure, stroke, blood clots or death due to sudden cardiac arrest.”

This program is free and refreshments will be provided.