International Patients
A recommendation for heart valve treatment can leave you weighing several decisions at once: which treatment to consider, where to receive care and whether travelling abroad would help.
For patients in Nigeria, a specialist second opinion can begin with the medical records already available. Email your reports to Heart Valve Experts (HVE), explain what your doctor has recommended and share the questions you would like answered before planning a journey to Mumbai.
The review may help clarify possible treatment options and whether further assessment in India would be useful. You do not need to select a procedure before making an enquiry.
A remote opinion does not confirm eligibility for treatment. Final recommendations may require an examination, updated imaging and other investigations in Mumbai.
International Patients
If your cardiologist in Nigeria has advised valve repair, replacement or further specialist assessment, include that recommendation with your enquiry.
Ask for a clinical summary explaining your diagnosis, symptoms, current medicines, previous procedures and any recent hospital admissions. If treatment has been described as urgent, include the reason and discuss the next steps with your local doctor while seeking another opinion.
Tell HVE what you need help understanding. For example:
Patient Review
Email heartvalveexperts@gmail.com with the subject “Nigeria Patient Review”.
Include the patient’s name, age, city and state in Nigeria, main symptoms and contact number with the +234 country code. Attach the available reports and your questions.
Ask HVE to confirm receipt, whether any files are missing and the expected response time. If you want a video consultation, check availability, fees and the appointment time in Nigeria.
The review may identify a need for additional records or investigations before an opinion can be provided.
If an assessment in Mumbai is recommended, confirm the appointment, location and likely investigations before arranging your journey.
For general information about assessment and travel preparation, visit the international-patient hub.
Who it’s for
Prepare these records where available:
Echocardiogram
Latest report and original images or videos
CT or angiography
Written report and complete original scan files
Previous treatment
Operation reports, procedure records and discharge summaries
Current care
Prescriptions, relevant blood tests and known allergies
Referral summary
Your Nigerian doctor’s findings and treatment recommendation
Send readable report PDFs and smaller files as attachments to heartvalveexperts@gmail.com.
For larger echocardiogram videos and DICOM files, call +91 88284 73147 or email HVE to obtain the accepted transfer instructions.
DICOM files contain original medical images. Ask your hospital or diagnostic centre in Nigeria for the complete digital study. Photographs of a written report do not replace the original scan images.
Keep a copy of every file you send and bring your records if you travel.
Share medical information with the patient’s permission. If a relative or referring doctor sends records, explain their relationship to the patient and confirm how consent should be documented.
Read the HVE Privacy Policy before submitting personal information.
TAVI/TAVR and TEER, guided by your reports.
If you have been diagnosed with aortic stenosis, include your latest echocardiogram and any existing CT images.
These help inform the discussion about valve replacement and which additional assessments may be needed. TAVI/TAVR is one possible treatment for selected patients; surgery or another care plan may be more appropriate.
If your doctor has recommended treatment for mitral regurgitation, share your echocardiogram, medicines and previous valve procedures.
These records help assess whether monitoring, medicines, surgery, TEER or minimally invasive treatment may be considered. Further imaging may be needed before suitability is discussed with the Heart Team.
Medical Visa
Check which Indian mission handles applications from your state of residence before arranging a visa appointment. The Consulate General of India in Lagos publishes its jurisdiction and application guidance on its visa-services page.
Use the official sources for the applicable medical-visa checklist:
Prepare your local referral and medical records, and ask the receiving hospital about the invitation documentation required for your application. Confirm the separate requirements for anyone accompanying you.
A hospital invitation does not guarantee visa approval. Follow the relevant mission’s current instructions and book flights after receiving your visa and confirming the medical appointment.
International Patients
Before making arrangements, confirm:
If your itinerary includes a connecting flight, check transit requirements for your passport and allow for the demands of the journey.
Ask your insurer or sponsor what written approval is needed before treatment abroad. Keep flexibility in your return arrangements until the treating team has assessed your recovery.
Request a Specialist Review
International Patients
Before leaving Mumbai, obtain your discharge summary, procedure report, investigation results and written medicine instructions.
Ask when your next cardiology appointment and tests are due. Check medicine availability in Nigeria before travelling home, and discuss any supply concerns with the treating team.
If blood tests are needed to monitor a prescribed medicine, confirm where and when these will be arranged locally.
Take your complete treatment record to your cardiologist in Nigeria. If remote HVE follow-up is available for your case, ask how to book it and submit new reports.
Ask for a written treatment estimate once sufficient information is available. Check whether it includes consultations, imaging and investigations, the procedure, implants where applicable, medicines and hospital accommodation. Confirm the payment arrangements and ask which costs may be additional. Budget separately for flights, accommodation, your companion’s expenses and any extended stay. The final cost may change after assessment or if further treatment is needed.
FAQs
<p><span>You can email records from your location in Nigeria. Visa submission arrangements are separate and depend on the relevant mission’s jurisdiction.</span></p>
<p><span>Send a readable copy and explain that original images are not yet available. The specialist may need those images or further investigations before giving a meaningful opinion.</span></p>
<p><span>A relative can help organise records with your consent. Identify the patient and the person authorised to receive communications.</span></p>
<p><span>Ask what clinical information is needed for an initial estimate. Confirm with your sponsor or insurer which documents they require and whether approval must be obtained before treatment.</span></p>
<p><span>Do not assume direct coordination has been arranged. Ask about its availability and keep copies of your records to share with your local doctor.</span></p>
<p><span>Seek urgent medical care in Nigeria for severe breathlessness, significant chest pain, fainting or sudden deterioration. Do not wait for an international consultation or email response.</span></p>
International Patients
Share the medical records you already have and explain the treatment decision you need help understanding.
