Over 11 million Americans have some form of heart valve disease. Among them, nearly 25,000 people die every year. Hence, this article aims to increase awareness of heart valve disease, thereby you will get to know its warning signs and take the right action to take care of your heart.
What is Heart Valve Disease?
A heart valve disease can affect any of the four valves in your heart.
The four valves are as follows:
· The tricuspid valve that is located between your right atrium and ventricle
· The pulmonary valve that is located between your right ventricle and pulmonary artery
· The mitral valve that is located between your left atrium and left ventricle
· The aortic valve that is located between your left ventricle and aorta
Your heart valves ensure that your blood flows in one direction and does not come back up or cause leakage. A heart valve disease can disrupt the functioning of valves.
Causes
A valve disorder can be caused due to a number of factors. This includes:
· A congenital defect
· An inflammation of your heart tissue
· Rheumatic fever
· Heart attack
· Age-related changes, such as degenerative changes in your heart muscle
· Coronary artery disease
· Blood pressure-related issues
· Hardening or swelling of your arteries due to certain disorders
· Chronic disorders, such as lupus
Signs and symptoms
Some people with heart valve disease may not necessarily have any symptoms. Others may experience conditions, such as heart attack and blood clots. The symptoms, however, depend on the severity of the disorder and how it affects your blood flow. The symptoms include:
· A shortage of breath, heart palpitations, or chest pain
· A headache, dizziness, or fatigue
· Water retention in your abdomen or fluid build-up in your lungs
Your symptoms could also depend on the type of valve disorder you have.
- Mitral valve prolapse
This condition does not allow your mitral valve to close properly and causes blood to flow back into your left atrium. A majority of people with these disorders do not have symptoms. The symptoms associated with mitral valve prolapse include:
· Heart palpitations and shortage of breath
· Chest pain
· Fatigue
- Bicuspid aortic valve disease
People with this condition are usually born with an aortic valve that includes two flaps instead of three. Sometimes, this disorder is diagnosed at birth, while sometimes the disorder may not show any symptoms for decades and may flare up in your adulthood. The symptoms associated with bicuspid aortic valve disease include:
· Shortage of breath or chest pain
· Dizziness and fainting
- Valvular stenosis
An inability of any of your valves to open up completely, restricting the amount of blood that flows through the valve due to thickening or stiffening of any of your heart valves leads to valvular stenosis. The symptoms associated with valvular stenosis include:
· Shortage of breath or chest pain
· Dizziness and fainting
· Fatigue
- Valvular regurgitation
This condition occurs when your valve does not close properly leading to blood that flows backward. The symptoms associated with valvular regurgitation include:
· Shortage of breath or chest pain
· Dizziness and fainting
· Heart palpitation
· Swelling in your feet
Tests and diagnosis
Your doctor will begin your diagnosis by listening to your heart with a stethoscope for any abnormalities that may indicate a heart valve issue. Your doctor may even listen to your lungs to check for any fluid build-up or water retention.
Other tests to diagnose heart valve disease include:
- An electrocardiogram test is used to check for abnormalities in your heart's rhythm as well as to view your heart valves and their chambers.
- Cardiac catheterization uses a catheter with a camera attached to it to take images of your heart and blood vessels.
- A chest X-ray or an MRI can reveal an enlarged heart as well as any other disorder related to your valves.
- A stress test can help reveal information about the severity of your condition.
Treatment
The treatment of heart valve diseases depends on their severity. Your cardiovascular specialists may initially ask you to quit smoking and drinking and adopt healthier eating habits.
- Medications
· Beta-blockers to help control blood flow and your heart rate
· Vasodilators to dilate your blood vessels
· Diuretics that help reduce water retention
- Surgery
Surgery is recommended if your symptoms increase in severity. A heart valve can be repaired using:
· Your tissue
· An animal valve in case you are a candidate for a biological valve replacement
· A mechanically constructed valve or a valve from a donor
· Valvuloplasty is a technique that helps increase the size of your valve by opening it up
Seek a Cardiovascular Specialist for Consultation
If you’re experiencing the above-listed signs and symptoms, make sure to connect with cardiovascular specialists, who can evaluate your heart health condition, assess your symptoms, and recommend the appropriate treatment that works for you. You can also schedule an appointment with PeakHeart for direct consultation.
