How long does a pig valve last?

Q: My 43 years old mother had a valve replacement eight months back. She also had two strokes, because her valve was really bad, but how long does a pig valve usually last. She still smokes.

A:A pig valve usually lasts about 10-15 years. Smoking is bad for multiple reasons and therefore should be totally stopped. Not only it increases the atherosclerotic process and may be the degeneration of the valve but is also the root cause for a lot of serious illnesses besides bringing in general ill health. So there are no two opinions about the fact that your mother should be encouraged to stop smoking totally.