Understanding Heart Valve Disease

About Understanding Heart Valve Disease

Audio health education made for patients, created by Australian doctors. There is nothing more important than your health, or the health of your family. Drivetime-Patient delivers trusted, easy-to-understand audio education to help you better understand your diagnosis, tests, treatment options and what to expect. Our audio modules are created with Australian doctors, are evidence-based and fully referenced, with links to trusted resources if you would like to explore the information further. In this module, we look at heart valve disease, with a particular focus on aortic stenosis. Dr Robert Hungerford, a GP from Newcastle, is joined by Dr Matias Yudi, an Interventional and Structural Cardiologist from Melbourne. Across 10 units, they take you through the condition step by step, from how the heart and its valves work to symptoms to look out for, how heart valve disease is diagnosed, treatment options and what you can expect from your care. Our aim is to support the conversations you have with your healthcare providers, helping you feel informed, confident and better prepared to make decisions about your health. You can listen to the whole module from beginning to end, choose the units most relevant to you, or come back and revisit a topic whenever you need to. Think of it as a 100-minute masterclass with an Australian cardiologist and GP, designed to answer the questions you may have about heart valve disease and aortic stenosis. You can also visit the website: https://drivetimepatient.com.au/modules/heart-valve-disease/

Publisher

Drivetime-Patient

Category

education · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

16 Sept 2026

Latest episode

16 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

11 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Sept 2026

   When to Seek Help: Before or After Treatment [10 of 10]

   How do you know what’s normal and when something needs medical attention? In this final unit, Dr Robert Hungerford and Dr Matias Yudi explain the symptoms and changes you shouldn’t ignore, both before and after treatment, and when you should seek help. They discuss what to expect during recovery, who to contact if you notice a change, and why it’s important to listen to your body and raise concerns with your healthcare team. They also share practical tips for staying on top of your care, including keeping your medical information handy, knowing your key contacts and keeping up with follow-up appointments. For further resources and show notes, visit the Drivetime-Patient (https://drivetimepatient.com.au/modules/heart-valve-disease/) website. Creators & Guests Dr Robert Hungerford - Host Dr Matias Yudi - Guest Please note, the information presented in this program is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition, or before making changes to your treatment.

2. 

   16 Sept 2026

   Looking Ahead - Life After Treatment [9 of 10]

   What does life look like after treatment for aortic stenosis? In this unit, Dr Robert Hungerford and Dr Matias Yudi talk through recovery after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), including what you might expect in the days, weeks and months following treatment. They discuss getting back to everyday activities, cardiac rehabilitation, ongoing follow-up and the checks used to make sure your new valve is working well. You’ll also hear about possible complications to look out for and how your medications may change after treatment. For further resources and show notes, visit the Drivetime-Patient (https://drivetimepatient.com.au/modules/heart-valve-disease/) website. Creators & Guests Dr Robert Hungerford - Host Dr Matias Yudi - Guest Please note, the information presented in this program is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition, or before making changes to your treatment.

3. 

   16 Sept 2026

   When Treatment Is Needed - and What the Options Are [8 of 10]

   Aortic stenosis usually gets worse slowly over time, so how do you know when it’s time for treatment, and who makes that decision? In this unit, Dr Robert Hungerford and Dr Matias Yudi explain when treatment may be recommended and the different options available. They take you through surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), explaining what happens during each procedure, how recovery differs and some of the factors your heart team will consider when recommending the most appropriate option for you. You’ll also hear about the questions you may want to ask your cardiologist, including the risks and benefits of treatment, recovery, how long a replacement valve may last and how your own preferences can form part of the decision. For further resources and show notes, visit the Drivetime-Patient (https://drivetimepatient.com.au/modules/heart-valve-disease/) website. Creators & Guests Dr Robert Hungerford - Host Dr Matias Yudi - Guest Please note, the information presented in this program is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition, or before making changes to your treatment.

4. 

   16 Sept 2026

   Your Care Team - What the Heart Team Means [7 of 10]

   If you have aortic stenosis, you may hear people talk about your ‘heart team’. But who is actually in that team, who will you see, and who makes the decisions about your care? And importantly, what say do you have? In this unit, Dr Robert Hungerford and Dr Matias Yudi explain the different healthcare professionals who may be involved in your care, including your GP, cardiologist, interventional cardiologist, cardiac surgeon and heart valve coordinator. They explain how these specialists work together, how treatment recommendations are made and what the heart team approach means for you. You’ll also hear about your role in those decisions, the choices you may have about where you receive care and why being treated by a team with experience in aortic stenosis can be important. For further resources and show notes, visit the Drivetime-Patient (https://drivetimepatient.com.au/modules/heart-valve-disease/) website. Creators & Guests Dr Robert Hungerford - Host Dr Matias Yudi - Guest Please note, the information presented in this program is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition, or before making changes to your treatment.

5. 

   16 Sept 2026

   What You Can Do Day to Day [6 of 10]

   Looking after your cardiovascular health is important at any age, but particularly as we get older. So, what should you be doing day to day, and does having aortic stenosis change that? In this unit, Dr Robert Hungerford and Dr Matias Yudi look at the everyday things you can do to support your heart health, with advice tailored to people living with heart valve disease and aortic stenosis. They discuss diet, exercise, sleep, smoking and alcohol, as well as the importance of managing things like blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and diabetes risk. They also explain how much exercise may be appropriate at different stages of aortic stenosis, what changes you and your family should look out for, and when to speak to your GP or cardiologist. For further resources and show notes, visit the Drivetime-Patient (https://drivetimepatient.com.au/modules/heart-valve-disease/) website. Creators & Guests Dr Robert Hungerford - Host Dr Matias Yudi - Guest Please note, the information presented in this program is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition, or before making changes to your treatment.

6. 

   16 Sept 2026

   If You’re Diagnosed - What Happens Next [5 of 10]

   You’ve been diagnosed with aortic stenosis. So what happens now? Does having a diagnosis mean you need treatment straight away, or could your heart valve simply be monitored for a while? In this unit, Dr Robert Hungerford and Dr Matias Yudi explain what happens after a diagnosis of aortic stenosis. They discuss why many people don’t need treatment straight away, what regular monitoring involves, how often you may need check-ups and echocardiograms, and what your doctors are watching for as the condition changes over time. You’ll also hear why medicines can’t treat or reverse the narrowing of the valve, but may still be important for managing other heart and health conditions, the changes or symptoms you should report to your doctor, and why getting the timing of treatment right is so important. For further resources and show notes, visit the Drivetime-Patient (https://drivetimepatient.com.au/modules/heart-valve-disease/) website. Creators & Guests Dr Robert Hungerford - Host Dr Matias Yudi - Guest Please note, the information presented in this program is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition, or before making changes to your treatment.

7. 

   16 Sept 2026

   Tests That Check the Heart & Who Should Be Checked [4 of 10]

   Your GP thinks there may be something going on with your heart. What happens next? What tests might you need, who organises them, and what can they actually tell you? In this unit, Dr Robert Hungerford and Dr Matias Yudi take you through the tests used to investigate heart valve disease, with a particular focus on the echocardiogram, an ultrasound of the heart. They explain why you might be referred for one, where the test is done, how to prepare and exactly what to expect when you get there. They also explain what doctors can learn from an echocardiogram, how the results help determine whether aortic stenosis is mild, moderate or severe, and when further tests or follow-up may be needed. For further resources and show notes, visit the Drivetime-Patient (https://drivetimepatient.com.au/modules/heart-valve-disease/) website. Creators & Guests Dr Robert Hungerford - Host Dr Matias Yudi - Guest Please note, the information presented in this program is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition, or before making changes to your treatment.

8. 

   16 Sept 2026

   Symptoms – Why You Might Feel Fine [3 of 10]

   Aortic stenosis often develops slowly, which means you may not notice the symptoms at first. So how do you know if you’re simply getting older or if the changes you’re noticing could be a sign that something isn’t quite right? In this unit, Dr Robert Hungerford and Dr Matias Yudi discuss the subtle changes that can be easy to dismiss, such as getting more breathless, slowing down or finding everyday activities harder than they used to be. They also explain why family and friends may sometimes notice these changes before you do. What are the more noticeable symptoms to look out for? When you should speak to your GP, and why does recognising changes early matter? For further resources and show notes, visit the Drivetime-Patient (https://drivetimepatient.com.au/modules/heart-valve-disease/) website. Creators & Guests Dr Robert Hungerford - Host Dr Matias Yudi - Guest Please note, the information presented in this program is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition, or before making changes to your treatment.

9. 

   16 Sept 2026

   When Valves Don’t Work - Why It Happens & Who’s at Risk [2 of 10]

   You may be wondering, have I done something to put myself at risk? Is aortic stenosis unusual? Is it just part of getting older, or are some people more likely to develop it than others? In this unit, Dr Robert Hungerford and Dr Matias Yudi explain what aortic stenosis is, what happens to the valve as it becomes narrowed and why the condition develops. They look at the role of ageing, other factors that can increase your risk and why some people are born with a valve that makes them more likely to develop aortic stenosis. After listening, you’ll understand how common aortic stenosis is, whether it runs in families, and whether there’s anything you can do to reduce your risk. For further resources and show notes, visit the Drivetime-Patient (https://drivetimepatient.com.au/modules/heart-valve-disease/) website. Creators & Guests Dr Robert Hungerford - Host Dr Matias Yudi - Guest Please note, the information presented in this program is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition, or before making changes to your treatment.

10. 

    16 Sept 2026

    How the Heart Works [1 of 10]

    If time wasn’t an issue, these are some of the things doctors would love to explain in more detail, so you can really understand what’s going on inside your body. In this unit, Dr Robert Hungerford and Dr Matias Yudi take you back to basics. They explain how the heart works as a pump, what your heart valves actually do and why they are so important for keeping blood flowing around your body. You’ll learn where the aortic valve sits, what happens when a heart valve doesn’t open or close properly, and why understanding how a healthy heart works can make it much easier to understand what’s happening when something goes wrong. For further resources and show notes, visit the Drivetime-Patient (https://drivetimepatient.com.au/modules/heart-valve-disease/) website. Creators & Guests Dr Robert Hungerford - Host Dr Matias Yudi - Guest Please note, the information presented in this program is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition, or before making changes to your treatment.

11. 

    16 Sept 2026

    Introduction To The Module

    In this module, we're going to be talking about heart valve disease, with a focus on aortic stenosis, a common type of valve condition. Maybe you’re getting out of breath walking to the shops, or finding it harder to climb a flight of stairs without needing to stop, or you've been referred for tests and you're not sure what happens next. Dr Robert Hungerford and Dr Matias Yudi introduce the module and explain what you’ll learn across the series. Together, they’ll guide you through the A to Z of aortic stenosis, using plain language and clear explanations to help you understand the condition, what to expect and the questions you may want to discuss with your healthcare team. For further resources and show notes, visit the Drivetime-Patient (https://drivetimepatient.com.au/modules/heart-valve-disease/) website. Creators & Guests Dr Robert Hungerford - Host Dr Matias Yudi - Guest Please note, the information presented in this program is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition, or before making changes to your treatment.

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