Jagger's surgery puts spotlight on heart valve replacement

WYNNEWOOD, Pa. (WPVI) -- Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger has been giving energetic performances on stage since the 1960s.[br /][br /]And he could be back strutting and jumping before long, following heart valve replacement surgery in New York.[br /][br /]Sources tell Billboard that Sir Mick is recovering well following the surgery Thursday and could be released in the next few days.[br /][br /]Jagger's surgery was done by the TAVR, or transcatheter aortic valve replacement, in which doctors access the heart valve through the femoral (thigh) artery rather than opening the chest.[br /][br /]He is being monitored for complications, such as excessive bleeding.[br /][br /]Doctors say the TAVR approach should allow Jagger to get back to his typical routine.[br /] [br /]But that's certainly not the typical routine for most 75-year-olds.[br /][br /]Jagger is known for his music and for his moves.[br /][br /]Some say he cover 2 miles or more during each show.[br /][br /]Dr. Roberto Rodriguez is a cardiothoracic surgeon at Main Line Health.[br /][br /]He is not treating Jagger, but says the most common valve needing replacement for an older adult is the aortic valve.[br /][br /]Over time it hardens and becomes more narrow.[br /][br /]"So the heart has to work really hard to get all the blood through a smaller opening," says Dr. Rodriguez[br /][br /]The most common symptoms are really fatigue and shortness of breath]][br /][br /]He says the valve can be replaced by open heart surgery or a less-invasive procedure using valves known as transcatheter aortic valve replacement or TAVR.[br /][br /]Through a small incision, a tube carrying the new valve is guided to the diseased area.[br /][br /]The new valve then replaces the old.[br /][br /]The major benefit is shorter recovery time for patients.[br /][br /]Most are back to their regular routine in about a month.[br /][br /]Jagger is now said to live a very clean, healthy life, eating organic and working out daily.[br /][br /]"A [75-year-old jumping and running around stage the way he does, he is obviously in good shape," notes Dr. Rodriguez.[br /][br /]That may also play a role in getting the rocker back on stage quickly.[br /][br /]If this is the procedure he's having, it is less-invasive.[br /][br /]But as with any surgery there are still risks.[br /][br /]Mick Jagger has told fans he will be working hard to get back on stage.