Heart Valve Disease-Symptoms, causes & Treated

Heart valve disease can indicate the valves within your heart aren’t functioning correctly. The heart is home to four valves to make sure blood flow is flowing in the proper direction. Sometimes there are instances when one or more of the valves can’t shut or open properly. Could cause the circulation of blood through your heart and into your body to become disrupted. As per the American Heart AssociationHeart Association, around 5 million Americans suffer from heart valve diseases each year. The treatment for heart valve diseases depends on the valve affected and the nature and extent of the condition. In certain instances of heart valve problems, you may require surgery to repair or repair the valve within your heart.

What Is Heart Valves Disease?

Valvular heart diseases occur when a valve within the heart is damaged or is infected. Heart valve disease happens when the valves in the heart are not functioning as they are supposed to. Heart valve diseases occur when the valves in your heart are not functioning properly. The most common causes of valve diseases include rheumatic fever and congenital disabilities and the process of degeneration and then infection. It could be due to valve stenosis or insufficiency.

How do you know the heart valves?

The heart comprises four chambers, including Two Atria (upper chambers) and two ventricles (lower chambers). Blood flows through a valve before it exits every heart chamber. The valves stop blood flow backward. They function as one-way outlets to blood flowing on the one hand of a ventricle and outlets for blood on the opposite part of a ventricle. The four valves in the heart contain the following:

Tricuspid valve- The tricuspid valve is situated between the left atrium and the right ventricle.
The pulmonary valve– It is located within the left ventricle as well as the pulmonary blood vessel.
Mitral valve- It is located within the atrium of the left and left ventricle.
Aortic valve- It is located within the left ventricle and aorta.

Heart valves and their functions

The valves are opened and closed to regulate or control the blood flow into the heart and out. The heart valves comprise three flaps or leaflets that close and open for blood to flow through the valve opening. The mitral valve has only two leaflets. The healthy heart valve leaves can completely open and close the valve when a heartbeat occurs; however, valves with a diseased condition may not be able to fully close and open. Every heart valve is susceptible to disease, and the aortic valve is the most often affected.

The heart valves are located near the exits of each of your heart chambers and ensure the flow of blood in one direction through your heart. The four valves of your heart ensure that blood circulates freely and in a forward direction and there isn’t any backward leakage. The blood flows through your right and left ventricles to your atria via the mitral and tricuspid valves. If the ventricles are full, with blood, the valves for the mitral and tricuspid become closed. This prevents blood flow through the atria backward as the ventricles contract.

When the ventricles begin to contract, they will contract, and the pulmonic and aortic valves become open, and blood flows out from the ventricles. The blood flowing from the right ventricle is pumped through the valve, which is opened into the pulmonary arterial because blood from the left is pumped through the aortic valve, which is opened to the aorta and the rest of the body.

Once the ventricles stop contracting and start relaxation, the atrial and the pulmonic valves close. The valves stop blood from returning into the ventricles. The pattern repeats every heartbeat, continuously causing blood flow through the lungs, the heart, and the body.

Symptoms of Heart Valve Disease

Certain people suffering from heart valve issues may not show symptoms for many years. If symptoms and signs show up may include:

Whooshing sound (heart murmur) when a doctor is listening to the heart with a stethoscope
Chest pain-It is possible to feel tension or weight on your chest when you exercise or while out in the cold air.
Abdominal swelling (more frequent in chronic tricuspid regurgitation)
Fatigue.
Shortness of breath, especially during active times or when lying down. It’s possible to notice this during times of activity (doing the normal activities of life) or lying down on your bed. You may need to rest lying on your back on a few pillows to help you breathe more easily.
Ankles swelling and feet are known as edema. The abdomen swelling may make you feel uncomfortable and bloated.
Dizziness- You might feel weak to complete the normal activities of your day. It is also possible to experience dizziness at times, and in certain cases, the passing out of a person could be an indication.
Fainting
Heart palpitations. This may feel like a quick heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, and even skips in beats or the feeling of a flip-flop in your chest.

Quick weight increase. A weight gain of between 2 and 3 pounds over a single day is not impossible. Heart valve symptoms are not always indicative of the severity of your health. There are times when you don’t have any symptoms whatsoever and may suffer from severe valve problems and require urgent treatment. In the case of the mitral valve, you might notice a noticeable symptom. However, tests might show that the leak in your valve isn’t important.

The causes of valve problems

The heart’s four valves that ensure blood flow correctly comprise the mitral, aortic, and pulmonary valves. Each valve is equipped with flaps (leaflets) that are opened and close each heartbeat. If any valves fail to close or open correctly, blood flow through your heart and into the rest of your body becomes disrupted.

Heart valve disease can be present from the time of birth (congenital). It can also be present in adulthood due to various reasons and conditions, including diseases and other heart issues.

There are many reasons for valve problems.

1. The normal heart consists of four chambers (right and left atria and the right and left ventricles) and four valves (Figure 1).

2. Mitral valve commonly referred to as the bicuspid valve allows blood to flow through the left atrium, and then into the left ventricle.

3. The tricuspid valve allows for blood flow to pass through the right atrium, and into the right ventricle.

4. The valve in the aortic artery allows blood to flow out of the left ventricle into Aorta.

5. The pulmonary valve allows blood to flow through the right ventricle to the blood vessel in the pulmonary vein.

Heart valve problems could include:

Regurgitation. The valve flaps don’t close correctly, causing blood to leak backward to the heart. This happens because valve flaps have bulged backward and caused prolapse.

Stenosis. The flaps of the valve get hard or stiff and could connect. This leads to an opening that is narrowed and decreased circulation of blood through the valve.

Atresia. The valve doesn’t exist and a solid layer of tissue blocks the circulatory flow of the chambers of the heart.

Rheumatic fever. It’s the result of an untreated A bacterial infection (usually Strep throat ). Fortunately, this disease is now much less frequent since the beginning of Antibiotics. To treat it in the 1950s, treat it. The first infection typically occurs in children and is the cause of inflammation of the heart valves in the heart. However, symptoms are linked to heart valves. Inflammation It is possible that they will not be noticed in 20-40 years.

Acute valve disease. This includes problems that arise with valves that once were normal. This could be due to changes in the valve’s structure caused by a variety of infections or diseases, such as Rheumatic fever and endocarditis.

A congenital disease of the valve. This form of valve disease usually affects the aortic valve or the Pulmonic valve. Valves could be too large or have leaflets that are not properly formed and have leaflets that have not been connected correctly.

Risk Factors of Heart Valve Disease

Certain factors may increase your risk of suffering from heart valve disease, such as:

Older age
Certain infections have a history that may be detrimental to the heart
Certain types of heart disease or attack
High blood pressure and high cholesterol, diabetes, and other risk factors for heart disease factors
Heart diseases that can be present from the time of birth (congenital heart condition)

Complications

Heart valve problems can trigger multiple complications, which include:

Heart failure
Stroke
Blood is clots
Heart rhythm disorders
Death

When is the best time to visit a doctor?

If you notice any signs that could indicate heart valve problems, consult your physician. If you experience an abnormal heartbeat or a heart murmur, your doctor may suggest seeing a cardiologist.

How Is Heart Valve Disease Treated?

Treatment for heart valve diseases is based on the kind of disease and how serious it is. There are three objectives of treatments for heart valve diseases safeguarding the valve from damage that could occur, decreasing symptoms, and fixing replacement or repairing valves.

Guarding your valve against any further harm. If you have valve disease, you’re more likely to develop endocarditis which is a serious disease. Anyone who has been treated for valve surgery and replaced is at a higher risk of developing endocarditis.

Heart valved diseaes tretment tips

What to expect from your doctor?

Know about any restrictions before scheduling appointments. If you are scheduling an appointment ensure that you inquire whether there is anything you need to be aware of prior to the appointment.
Note your symptoms for any indications that aren’t related to heart valve problems.
Note important personal information that include medical history of the family with heart conditions in addition to any significant changes or stresses that were recently experienced.
Record the medicines as well as vitamins and other supplements that you consume.
Include an adult family member along If you can. Anyone who is able to accompany you on your journey can help you remember any details you’ve been given.
Discuss your diet and exercise habits with your physician. If you’re struggling to eat well and exercising regularly, you should be prepared to talk with your doctor about any issues that you could face when you start out.

Take note of the concerns you’d want to discuss with your doctor.

If you’re experiencing heart valve problems The most crucial questions you must ask your doctor are:

The root of my medical or physical symptoms?
Other causes might be the reason for the symptoms I’m experiencing or my illness?
What type of tests am I required in order to be able?
How can I pick the most efficient solution?
What are alternatives to the one your suggestion?
In addition I’m suffering from health issues. What can I do to deal with the various health issues?
Does it contain rules I have to follow?
Do I need to talk about this with an experienced person?
If I require surgery, what surgeon would you suggest for my valve inside the coronary artery?
Are you looking for alternatives to the medication your doctor prescribes?
Do you own catalogs and other printed materials I could take with me? Which websites can you recommend?
Be sure not to be shy to ask any other concerns.

Your doctor is likely to be asking about a variety of issues, including:

When did your symptoms begin?
Have you had symptoms that are constant and/or intermittent?
What is the symptoms that are most severe?
Do you believe about what HTML0 is being done to help you?
How do you think could be the most likely to cause your condition to worsen?

To safeguard yourself

Let your dentist and doctor know you have heart valve problems. It is possible to have an identification card that contains the information. It is possible to download the American Heart Association website includes a bacterial-infected endocarditis card that you can download.

Contact your doctor if are suffering from symptoms that suggest an infection ( sore throat and general body aches fever).

Make sure you take good treatment for the health of your dental health and gums to avoid gum disease. See your dentist for regular visits.

The doctor may suggest that you have antibiotics before any procedure that can cause bleeding, for example, any dental procedure (even the simplest dental cleaning) or invasive testing (any tests that require blood or a bleed), and the majority of minor or major surgeries. The guidelines for what procedures and which kinds of valve disease require antibiotics have changed recently, So make sure you consult your physician about the most recent guidelines.

Medicines for Heart Valve Disease

You may be prescribed medication to manage your symptoms and reduce the risk of further injury to the valve. Certain drugs can be stopped after having had surgery for your heart valve to fix the issue. Certain medications might need to be taken throughout your life.

Drugs for heart diseases medications What are they doing

Diuretics (“water pills”) Eliminate extra fluid from the bloodstream and tissues; reduce the symptoms of heart failure.

Anti-arrhythmic medication You can control the heart’s rhythm.

Vasodilators reduce the work of the heart. It also encourages blood flow forward instead of backward through an open valve.

ACES inhibitors A kind of vasodilator that is that treats hypertension and heart failure.

Beta blocking Treatment of the high pressure in blood and reduce heart work by assisting the heart to beat less quickly and slower. It is used to reduce the palpitations of certain patients.

Anticoagulants (” blood thinners”) Intensify the clotting process for your blood if you’re at risk of the development of blood clots in your heart valve.

adhere to your doctor’s prescriptions to take these drugs for heart disease. Be aware of the names of the medications you are taking and what they’re for and when to take these medications. Make a list of them in your purse or wallet and include this list.

Other procedures and surgeries. The diagnostic tests your doctor prescribes help determine the type, location, and severity of heart valve problems. Results of the tests as well as along with the structure of the heart as well as your lifestyle and age will determine the most effective treatment option for you.

The surgical options are repair or replacement of heart valves. Valves are repaired or replaced by conventional heart valve surgery or the less invasive surgery for the valve of your heart.

Traditional heart valve operation

You’ll receive medicine to help you sleep, and surgeons will cut in the middle of the sternum (also known as the breastbone) to reach your heart. They’ll repair or replace valves in your heart that require it.

Heart valve surgery is a minimally invasive procedure

It’s performed with smaller cuts. This kind of surgery reduces:

Blood loss
Trauma
How long will you spend in the hospital?

The surgeon will go over the results of your test to determine whether you’re a suitable candidate to undergo this surgery.

Most often the surgeon and the cardiologist use transesophageal echo before and after the procedure to check how the valve functions. It makes use of the sound waves to offer your doctor an in-depth examination of the blood vessels and the heart.

Heart valve repair surgery

Mitral valve is the valve that is most frequently repaired. But the aortic and- Pulmonic, and Tricuspid valves could be repaired through this procedure, too.

If the valve can be repaired, you’ll likely be able to perform one of these methods:

Commissurotomy. The surgeon eliminates calcium deposits as well as other scar tissues in the valve’s leaflets (sometimes known as flaps). It is typically done to patients who have narrowed valves, and should not require balloon valves.

Decalcification. Decalcification removes calcium deposits to allow leaflets to be more flexible and to close properly.

Re-shape leaflets. If one leaflet is not pliable, a small part of it can be removed, and the flap is put to make it more secure. This will allow the valve to close more securely. It is also known as quadrangular Resection.

Chordal transfer. If your anterior leaflet of the mitral valve is loose (your doctor might say that it’s prolapse) The muscles that connect your valves — referred to as the chordal transferred across your posterior leaflet and into your anterior. Then the posterior leaflet gets repaired with the reshaped leaflets process.

Annulus support. Your doctor could reshape, or strengthen the ring of tissues that holds the valve (called the valve annulus) when it’s not wide enough. They’ll stitch a ring around it. The ring could be constructed of synthetic or natural material.

The leaflets are patched. Your surgeon could apply tissue patches to fix leaflets that are damaged or holes.

The benefits of repair of the heart valve include:

There will be less requirement for long-term blood thinners.
The heart muscle will remain more robust for longer.

Heart valve replacement surgery

If you suffer from aortic and the pulmonic valve problem the procedure to replace your valve is typically performed.

In some cases, the aortic valve may be repaired. If your heart valves cannot be fixed, your physician will have to replace them.

In the course of the operation, the damaged valve is removed and a brand new valve is stitched to the tissue that was supporting the original. The new valve may be:

The replacement of heart valves- When heart valves are damaged or severely damaged, they might require replacement by a replacement valve. The replacement valves can be tissues (biologic) valves that include animal valves and human aortic valves donated by donors or mechanical valves made of plastic, metal, or a different synthetic material. It is usually required to undergo heart surgery. However, certain valve disorders such as aortic valve narrowing and mitral valve regurgitation could be managed with non-surgical methods.

Mechanical.

It is made of synthetic components that your body can accept. A Bi-leaflet valve is most often used. It’s a ring of carbon leaflets that is a ring that is covered with Polyester knit material.

The benefit is that they’re made to last for a long time.

There are some potential disadvantages. Patients diagnosed with these need to take blood thinners throughout their lives to stop the formation of clots within it. Clots that form can increase your risk of having a stroke. Some people also can hear an eerie sound. The valve leaflets are being opened and closed.

Biological. These valves (your doctor might refer to them as bioprosthetic or biologic valves) are constructed from tissues of animals or humans. They can be derived from cows or pigs. The valves might have artificial parts that provide support and aid in their position. As a result, most people do not require long-term blood thinners in the event of other medical conditions (like atrial fibrillation) that require them.

Certain valves may last for as long as 17 years.

Homograft. Also known as an allograft. It’s an organ taken from a human heart donated that is frozen and preserved under the conditions of sterility. It is possible to repair the valve that is damaged.

Alternatives to surgery for heart valve diseases

Heart valves can be fixed using different procedures, including percutaneous balloon valve replacement. It could create an opening in a valve narrowed (stenotic) valve larger. Also referred to as balloon valvuloplasty doctors may suggest it to people who have:

Mitral valve stenosis (narrowing of the mitral valve) with symptoms
Aortic stenosis (narrowing of the valve for the aortic) is a condition that doesn’t allow patients to undergo surgery
Pulmonic Stenosis (narrowing of the valve for pulmonic)

Transcatheter aortic valve repair (TAVR) can be a more recent surgical alternative.

MitraClip is a non-invasive procedure that uses a clip to assist in closing the mitral valve more effectively. It allows the normal flow of blood throughout the heart.

Living With Heart Valve Disease

If you suffer from heart valve issues it is essential to be protected from the possibility of developing heart problems in the future even if the valve is repaired or replaced through surgery. Here are some suggestions to maintain your health:

Be aware of the type and the severity of the heart valve problem.
Inform all your doctors and dentists that you suffer from valve disease.
Consult your physician if are experiencing symptoms of an infection.
Maintain your gums and teeth.
Take antibiotics in advance of any surgery that could cause bleeding.
Keep a credit debit card accessible via the American Heart Association with specific antibiotic guidelines.
Use your medication. They are prescribed to treat symptoms and assist the heart to pump blood more effectively. Follow the instructions of your physician on the dosage and timing of medicines.
Visit your doctor for regular appointments even if there are no signs. An appointment may be scheduled for every year or more frequently, in the event that your doctor thinks that you require being monitored more closely.

Conclusion of heart valve disease

Valve issues can occur from birth or triggered by heart attacks, infections or heart diseases, or damage. The primary indication of heart valve problems is an unusual sound of the heartbeat known as the heart murmur. The doctor can detect the heart murmur using the Stethoscope. Many people suffer from heart murmurs that do not indicate an issue. The tests for heart function can tell the presence of an issue with the heart valve. Certain valve issues are not serious and don’t require treatment. Some may require medicines, medical procedures, and surgery or repair to replace or repair the valve.