LANSING, Mich. — Aging is an inevitable part of life and everyone ages differently. As the years go by, parts of the body start to degenerate. You may wonder, “When does my heart start to age?” The truth is, that varies depending on the person. However, many people see changes in their heart around the age of 40.
“Structural heart and valve conditions develop as you age,” said Dr. Majid Mughal, cardiologist at McLaren Greater Lansing. “Your valves open and close billions of times in a lifetime. It makes sense that they just wear out over time, just like a knee or hip.”
The Structural Heart and Valve Clinic at McLaren Greater Lansing offers a unique shared care approach for its patients. Dr. Mughal, cardiologist, and Dr. Divyakant Gandhi, cardiothoracic surgeon, meet with each patient to determine the best treatment plan.
“Instead of having to go to multiple doctors or clinics, we are a one-stop shop when it comes to structural heart and valve conditions,” said Dr. Mughal. “To make the repair, it may require a small groin incision, or it may require open heart surgery. When you become a patient of our clinic, we become a team and make those decisions together.”
The risk factors for structural heart and valve conditions are generally unknown, other than aging. “We have healthy appearing individuals who come to the clinic with severely diseased valves,” said Dr. Mughal. However, if you are experiencing shortness of breath, chest pain, or edema, which is swelling in the lower extremities, you should mention the symptoms to your primary care doctor, or if the symptoms seem serious, make your way to the nearest emergency room.
To make an appointment, or for more information about the McLaren Greater Lansing Structural Heart and Valve Clinic, call (517) 483-4780.
