Heart valve disease refers to any condition that affects one or more of the four heart valves: the aortic, mitral, pulmonary, and tricuspid valves. These valves play a crucial role in regulating blood flow through the heart and ensuring it moves in the right direction. When the valves are damaged or diseased, they can disrupt normal blood flow and lead to various health complications.
This guide provides an in-depth look at heart valve disease, including its symptoms, risk factors, types, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Symptoms of heart valve disease
Symptoms of heart valve disease can vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Common symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Palpitations
- Swelling in the extremities
- Symptoms that become worse with activities
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation.
Causes and risk factors of heart valve disease
Heart valve disease can be caused by various factors, including congenital defects, age-related changes, infections, and other heart conditions. Some common causes and risk factors include:
- Age: The risk of heart valve disease increases with age, as the valves may become thickened and less flexible.
- Congenital heart defects: Some people are born with heart valve abnormalities that can cause problems later in life.
- Rheumatic fever: This inflammatory disease can develop after a strep throat infection and damage the heart valves.
- Infections: Endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart, can damage the heart valves.
- Heart conditions: Conditions like high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and heart attacks can contribute to heart valve disease.
- Radiation therapy: Previous radiation treatment to the chest can increase the risk of valve disease.
Types of heart valve disease
Heart valve disease can manifest in multiple ways, primarily through the general categories of stenosis or regurgitation.
- Stenosis: Occurs when a valve does not open fully and restricts blood flow. Examples include aortic stenosis and mitral stenosis.
- Regurgitation: When a valve does not close properly and causes blood to flow backward, also known as insufficiency or incompetence. Examples include mitral valve prolapse and tricuspid regurgitation.
- Atresia: Results from valves not opening properly for blood to flow through.
Some specific types of heart valve disease include:
- Aortic stenosis: Narrowing of the aortic valve that restricts blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body.
- Mitral valve prolapse: Mitral valve leaflets bulge into the left atrium during contraction and sometimes cause regurgitation.
- Leaky heart valves: General term for valves that don’t close properly and lead to regurgitation.
Additionally, valve disease can be genetic. There are two basic types of genetic valve disease.
- Congenital valve disease: Typically occurs when the aortic or pulmonary valve is the wrong size or is malformed in a way that impacts its function.
- Bicuspid aortic valve disease: A congenital valve disease in which the aortic valve has only two leaflets instead of three, which results in the valve being unable to open or close properly or leaking when closed.
Diagnosing heart valve disease
Diagnosing heart valve disease involves a combination of physical exams, medical history review, and diagnostic tests. Common diagnostic methods include:
- Echocardiogram: Uses ultrasound waves to create detailed images of the heart valves and chambers.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG): Measures the electrical activity of the heart and can detect irregular heart rhythms.
- Chest X-ray: Helps visualize the heart and lungs to check for enlargement or fluid buildup.
- Cardiac MRI: Provides detailed images of the heart’s structure and function.
- Cardiac catheterization: Involves threading a catheter through a blood vessel to the heart to measure pressures and assess valve function.
Treatments for heart valve disease
Treatment for heart valve disease depends on the severity of the condition and the specific valve affected. At Oklahoma Heart Hospital, our approach is to diagnose and treat early, repair first, and avoid surgery whenever possible. Treatment can include:
- Medications: Diuretics, beta-blockers, anticoagulants, and antiarrhythmic drugs manage symptoms and prevent complications.
- Lifestyle changes: Diet, exercise, and quitting smoking can improve heart health.
- Surgical procedures: Two common procedures include valve repair to patch holes, reshape valve parts, or separate fused valve leaflets and valve replacement to replace the damaged valve with a mechanical or biological valve.
- Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): A minimally invasive procedure to replace a narrowed aortic valve. Oklahoma Heart Hospital is the most experienced TAVR center in Oklahoma.
Heart valve disease is a serious condition that requires prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment to prevent complications and improve quality of life. If you experience symptoms or have risk factors for heart valve disease, consult with a healthcare professional to discuss your options.
The Oklahoma Heart Hospital’s Heart Valve Institute is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for heart valve disease by offering advanced diagnostic and treatment options to help patients live healthier lives. For more information, visit the Heart Valve Institute.