Actor Sharman Joshi, son-in-law of Prem Chopra recently shared a health update about the veteran actor on social media. Weeks prior, the 90-year-old was hospitalised at Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital after complaints of chest congestion, giving family and friends a jarring scare. Sharman Joshi shared that his father-in-law had undergone a successful TAVI procedure for Aortic Stenosis and was recovering well.
Taking to social media platform Instagram, he posted a picture of a beaming Chopra alongside the doctors who took care of him and wrote:
“On behalf of our family, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and admiration for the exemplary treatment my father-in-law Mr. Prem Chopra Ji received from esteemed cardiologists Dr. Nitin Gokhale and interventional cardiologist Dr. Ravinder Singh Rao.
Dad was diagnosed with severe Aortic Stenosis, and Dr. Rao successfully performed the TAVI procedure, replacing the valve without open-heart surgery. Dr. Gokhale’s consistent guidance at every step gave us immense confidence . Their expertise ensured a smooth procedure, complication-free treatment and a fast recovery.
Dad is now home and feeling much better. We will always be thankful for the exceptional support and care he received.”
What is Aortic Stenosis and what are the symptoms?
According to the Mayo Clinic, Aortic Stenosis or Aortic Valve Stenosis is a type of valve disease of the heart, where the aortic valve which is present between the lower left heart chamber and the body’s main artery, the aorta, narrows and doesn’t open fully.
This can happen with age as calcium deposit collects on the valve with the constant flow of blood which contains the mineral. As a result, the blood flow from the heart to the aorta is reduced or blocked and this majorly impacts the rest of the body. Without treatment, severe aortic valve stenosis can lead to life-threatening complications.
The condition is usually common in people over 65 as per Cleveland Clinic but most are unaware they have it unless they are screened for it, or are exhibiting symptoms. Recognizing the symptoms of Aortic Stenosis early and seeking immediate medical attention can mean the difference between life and death. According to Cleveland Clinic they are:
Fatigue after physical activity
Heart palpitations
Swelling in ankles or feet
Chest pain that extends to the neck, jaw, arm or abdomen
Shortness of breath
Dizziness or fainting
More about TAVI, the procedure Prem Chopra underwent
Treatment for Aortic Stenosis usually involves the repair or replacement of the aortic valve supplemented by medication ranging from blood thinners to diuretics. There are a few surgical options to treat the disease and the one Prem Chopra opted for at the Lilavati Hospital was TAVI.
TAVI stands for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation which is a minimally invasive procedure and involves the replacement of a narrowed aortic valve that doesn’t open fully via a catheter according to the Mayo Clinic. The procedure involves small incisions versus open-heart valve surgery where the patient’s breastbone or sternum is cut and spread to expose the heart for surgery.
Though not without it’s own set of risks, according to the British Heart Foundation, The benefits of TAVI surpass open-heart valve surgery and include: less risk of death and strokes, a shorter hospital stay, a quicker overall recovery. Sharman Joshi also mentioned that the doctors had opted for TAVI over open-heart valve surgery in his caption and that the procedure had gone smoothly, allowing for a quicker recovery time for the Bollywood legend.
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