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

What Is Heart Valve Disease?

The heart is an important organ that is responsible 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. Four valves in the heart help in the healthy functioning of the pumping system of the heart. 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 heart's valves. The treatment for heart valve diseases depends on which valve is being affected. Surgery might be necessary to replace or repair the valves of the heart. The article discusses heart valve disease, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and complications.

What Are the Valves of the Heart?

Four valves 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 pass 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 tricuspid valve prevents the backflow of the blood. 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 also a semilunar valve.

• Pulmonary Valve: This valve is between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. It is also a semilunar valve. This valve facilitates a healthy blood flow exchange between the lungs and the heart.

What Are the Causes of Heart Valve Diseases?

Some patients have a problem with the heart's valves right from birth. Heart valve diseases can occur during adulthood due to medical conditions and infections.

• Infective Endocarditis: It is an inflammation in the tissues of the heart. Bacterial infections can affect the heart valves.

• Congenital Factors: A birth defect can lead to heart valve defects.

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

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

• Heart attack.

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

• Coronary Artery Disease: In this condition, hardening and narrowing arteries supplying the heart are 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.

Who Is More Likely to Develop Heart Valve Disease?

The risk factors of heart valve disease or the people who are more likely to develop heart valve disease are as follows:

• Age: Elderly or advancing age is linked with a high risk of degenerative changes in the heart valves.

• Gender: The condition is common in both genders, but some are more prevalent in males and some in females.

• Poor Lifestyle Factors: Lack of exercise, smoking, and poor diet can increase the risk of heart valve disease.

• Cardiovascular disease.

• Chronic medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis (joint inflammation).

• Untreated streptococcal infections.

What Are the Symptoms of Heart Valve Disease?

The various symptoms associated with heart valve diseases are:

• Heart palpitations 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 blood flow between the chambers of the blood.

• Stenosis: There is a stiffness or thickening in the heart's walls. 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 helps record the electrical activity of the heart. Any abnormal pattern in the rhythms can be identified in this technique. Any damage in the muscles of the heart can also be detected.

• Echocardiogram: An echocardiogram is a non-invasive procedure in which the blockage in the heart's valves is assessed using sound waves. An ultrasound transducer helps monitor the functions of the heart. This method is more reliable than others.

• Chest X-Ray: A chest X-ray is recommended to detect any heart enlargement. 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 valves are created with the sound waves' help. 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 to produce detailed images of the body and its organs.

What Are the Treatment Options for Heart Valve Diseases?

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

1. 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.

• Diuretics can control the increased blood pressure. Vasodilator medicines help relax the muscles of the heart

2. Surgical Methods: The surgical method aims to replace the valve that is not functioning well or repair the destructed valve. Repairing the heart valve is more suitable than replacing 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 disease are:

• Heart failure.

• Blood clots.

• Stroke.

• Heart rhythm abnormalities.

• Death.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, heart valve disease is a condition affecting heart valves, leading to disruption of normal heart functioning. Various factors leading to heart valve disease, such as age, genetics, congenital anomalies, and history of infections, can lead to the development of the conditions. The identification of risk factors, regular health check-ups, medical interventions, and healthy lifestyle choices can help in managing the condition. Advancements in treatment options may improve patient outcomes.