If a valve cannot be repaired, it may be replaced with a prosthetic valve. Two kinds of prosthetic heart valves are available: mechanical and biological.
A mechanical valve is created from artificial materials. Though it lasts long, the biggest disadvantage is that you will have to be on a lifetime therapy of anticoagulants or blood thinners as blood tends to clot on or around the mechanical valve.

Biological (tissue) valves are taken from pig, cow, or human donors. These valves don’t last as long as mechanical valves, but they usually do not necessitate the long-term use of an anticoagulant.

Choosing the valve type is a decision on which your doctor will advise you. The decision is influenced by factors like your age, the kind of work you do, the size of your valve, the condition of your heart, your ability to take an anticoagulant, and how many valves you may need.