Valvular Heart Disease

Nurse practitioners will encounter patients with valvular heart disease (VHD) because 5 million Americans are diagnosed with VHD every year. The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology released VHD guidelines in 2014. Once VHD is recognized, evidence-based guidelines need to be used in the management of patients with VHD. Nurse practitioners must have an understanding of the latest guidelines in order to initiate treatment, collaborate with the heart team members, and monitor and follow up on patients with VHD. Timely referral to cardiology and cardiac surgery is imperative for optimal outcomes in patients with VHD.