St. Francis surgeon on deck to discuss heart murmurs, valve disease

INDIANAPOLIS – Heart murmurs and valve disease are said to affect more than 5 million Americans, and while the symptoms might not be apparent, the condition can cause serious damage.

Marc Gerdisch, medical director of cardiothoracic surgery at the St. Francis Heart Center, will discuss valve conditions and heart murmurs 6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 15. The latest session in the “Ask the Doc” series is free to the public.

Gerdisch will explain how heart valves cause murmurs and when it’s time to seek treatment. Also, he will answer questions about advanced and innovative techniques that set new standards for murmurs and heart valve treatment at St. Francis.

Valves inside the heart that do not open or close properly cause heart murmurs. People can live with heart murmurs a long time without any symptoms. In fact, the heart can suffer considerable damage from heart valve disease before symptoms become noticeable. Heart failure may result from longstanding or sudden onset of valve disease.

A partner with Cardiac Surgery Associates, Gerdisch was the first in the world to use a new technology allowing patients to rebuild their own cardiovascular tissue. To learn more about his work, go to www.cardiactissuerepair.net.

To register for the seminar, call 317-782-4422, Participants also will be eligible for a free valvular echo screening.

The St. Francis Heart Center is located at 8111 S. Emerson Ave.