Heart Valve Disease - Cause, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Complications

What Is Heart Valve Disease?

The heart is an important organ that is required for circulating blood to all the organs and tissues of the body. If there is a collapse in the circulatory system, then there are possibilities for other organs to get affected too. There are four valves in the heart that help in the healthy functioning of the pumping system. If there is any damage or medical problem in these heart valves, the heart might suffer poor functioning. The flow of the blood also gets affected. This will eventually lead to the improper opening and closing of the valves of the heart. The treatment for heart valve diseases depends on which valve is being affected. In order to replace or repair the valves of the heart, surgery might be necessary.

What Are the Valves of the Heart?

There are four valves that help in the functioning of the heart. They are:

• Mitral Valve: It is a valve that is present between the left ventricle and left atrium. The mitral valve helps in passing the blood from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The backflow of the blood is restricted with the help of the mitral valve.

• Tricuspid Valve: It is present between the right atrium and the right ventricle. The backflow of the blood is prevented by the tricuspid valve. The healthy functioning of this valve will pass on the blood from the right atrium to the right ventricle.

• Aortic Valve: This valve is present between the aorta and left ventricle. It allows the blood to leave the left ventricle through the aorta. It is a semilunar valve.

• Pulmonary Valve: This valve is present between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery. It is also a semilunar valve. A healthy exchange of blood flow between the lungs and the heart is contributed by this valve.

What Are the Causes of Heart Valve Diseases?

Some patients have a problem with the valves of the heart right from birth. During adulthood, heart valve diseases can occur as a result of medical conditions and infections.

• Infective Endocarditis: It is an inflammation in the tissues of the heart.

• A birth defect.

• Age-related changes might result in the deposition of calcium.

• Rheumatic Fever: It is due to an infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria.

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• Heart attack.

• Cardiomyopathy: This might be due to degenerative changes in the muscles of the heart.

• Coronary Artery disease: In this condition, hardening and narrowing of arteries supplying the heart is seen.

• Syphilis: It is a sexually transmitted infection with abnormal swelling in the aorta that might result in an aortic aneurysm.

• High blood pressure.

• Chronic autoimmune disorder.

• Atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.

What Are the Symptoms of Heart Valve Diseases?

The various symptoms associated with heart valve diseases are:

• Heart palpitations that are caused due to irregular heartbeats.

• Shortness of breath.

• Chest pain.

• Fatigue.

• Fainting.

• Low or high blood pressure.

• Dizziness.

• Cough.

• Leg swelling.

• Headaches.

• Pulmonary edema: It is caused due to high levels of fluid content in the lungs.

• Water retention: It can lead to swelling in the abdomen and lower extremities.

What Are the Problems That Can Occur in the Heart Valves?

The common problems that can occur in the heart valves are:

• Atresia: It is a condition in which the valve is not formed properly. There can also be a blockage in the tissue that can restrict the flow of blood between the chambers of the blood.

• Stenosis: There is a stiffness or thickening in the walls of the heart. In some cases, fusion might also occur. This can reduce the flow of the blood through the heart valves.

• Regurgitation: In regurgitation, there is improper closure of the valves. This can lead to the leakage of the blood. It is commonly seen in prolapse conditions.

How Is Heart Valve Disease Diagnosed?

The diseases of the heart valve can be diagnosed with the help of the following procedures.

• Electrocardiogram: Electrocardiogram is a procedure that is helpful for recording the electrical activity of the heart. Any abnormal pattern in the rhythms can be identified in this technique. Any damages in the muscles of the heart can also be detected.

• Echocardiogram: Echocardiogram is a non-invasive procedure in which the blockage in the valves of the heart is assessed using sound waves. An ultrasound transducer is helpful for monitoring the functions of the heart. This method is more reliable than others.

• Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray is recommended for detecting any enlargement in the heart. The images of other organs and bones can also be identified.

• Transesophageal Echocardiogram: Transesophageal echocardiogram is a procedure that involves passing a transducer that functions by ultrasound. The transducer is small and is passed down to the esophagus. The images of the heart chambers and the valves are created with the help of the sound waves. The advantage of a transesophageal echocardiogram is that the images of the lungs and ribs do not interfere with the actual required image.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Magnetic resonance imaging is the method in which the magnetic and radio frequencies are combined along with the computer system for producing detailed images of the body and its organ.

What Are the Treatment Options for Heart Valve Diseases?

The mild problems of the heart valve can be treated with the help of medications. The complicated cases of heart valve diseases can be treated by surgical methods.

Medications: The symptoms of heart valve diseases can be relieved by medications. These medications require recommendations from a doctor. The prescribed medicines for heart valve diseases are:

• Calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers are the most recommended medicines for controlling the abnormal rhythms of the heart.

• The increased blood pressure can be controlled by diuretics. Vasodilator medicines help in relaxing the muscles of the heart.

Surgical Methods: The goal of the surgical method is to replace the valve that is not functioning well or repairing the destructed valve. Repairing the heart valve is more suitable than the replacement of the complete valve. The replacement of the heart valves requires the placement of plastic, metal, and other artificial materials.

The most successful method is a surgical balloon valvuloplasty. It is the most recommended method for aortic stenosis.

What Are the Complications of Heart Valve Diseases?

The complications of heart valve diseases are:

• Heart failure.

• Blood clots.

• Stroke.

• Heart rhythm abnormalities.

• Death.

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