Overview

Heart valves are small flaps of tissue that open and close like doors with each heartbeat to prevent blood from flowing backwards into the ventricles (the heart's lower chambers) to other parts of the heart. These valves keep blood moving through the heart during each heartbeat. These cardiac valves come in four types: mitral, pulmonary, aortic, and tricuspid. When these valves don't work correctly, the heart has to work harder to pump blood, which can lead to serious problems. The treatment for heart valve disease depends on the type and severity of the condition. It usually aims to protect the heart valve from further damage, lessen symptoms, and repair or replace faulty heart valves. Let's get to know more about them.

Types of heart valve disease

Heart valve disorder is a condition that prevents one or more heart valves from working properly. It is of four types

- Bicuspid aortic valve disease - The aortic valve is the valve that controls the flow of blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Bicuspid aortic valve disease occurs when the person has only two flaps instead of three.
- Valvular regurgitation - The most common heart valve disorder is regurgitation, insufficiency, or "leaky valves." The problem happens when the valve flaps (tissue flaps) don't close tightly, allowing some blood to flow back across the valve instead of forward through the heart or into an artery.
- Valvular stenosis - This type of disease can occur when the valve is blocked or fails to open completely. This disease may affect any of the four heart valves: the aortic, mitral, tricuspid, and pulmonic valves. Doctors may need to order tests and imaging studies, such as X-rays, ultrasounds, and CT scans, to help diagnose them.
- Mitral valve prolapse - This is a problem with the mitral valve, which is the valve that controls the flow of blood from the left atrium to the left ventricle. It occurs when the valve's leaflets flap back into the left atrium during the heart's contraction. The flaps of the valve can leak backwards through this condition, causing a rib-cracking or clicking noise when your heart beats.

Main causes of heart valve disease

Heart valve disorder can be caused because of several reasons, including:

- Congenital heart defects
- Age effects
- Bacterial infection
- Heart attacks
- Deposition of plaque
- Certain medications
- High blood pressure
- Swelling in aorta
- Autoimmune disorders such as lupus

Symptoms

Symptoms can happen at any age and are often a warning sign that something is wrong with the heart functioning. Several symptoms include

- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Lungs oedema
- Irregular or fast heartbeat
- Fever
- Extreme chest pain
- A heart murmur is another common symptom of some valve disorders. This is an abnormal sound that doctors can hear when they listen to a patient's heartbeat with a stethoscope.

If left untreated, heart valve disease can cause severe pain in the chest or heart failure (when the heart can no longer pump blood).

How To Diagnose Heart Valve Disease?

A doctor will diagnose heart valve disorder with a physical exam, by listening to the heartbeat, and by conducting blood tests. These include:

- Echocardiogram - An echocardiogram uses sound waves to evaluate the function of your heart valves and chambers.
- Transesophageal echocardiogram - It uses an ultrasound probe inserted into your oesophagus and can also help identify problems with the valves.
- Cardiac catheterisation - In this test, doctors insert a thin catheter tube with a camera to see the inner picture of heart valves and blood vessels. This test helps the doctor to understand the inner condition of the heart.
- MRI - Another critical test is a cardiac MRI, which uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed heart images. It can help the healthcare team determine the severity of the heart valve disorder and the size and shape of the chambers in the heart.

Other tests include MRI and chest X-rays.

Treatment

If the patient suffers from heart valve disorder, the doctor will recommend medicines, surgery, or nonsurgical treatment options such as valvuloplasty. The most common treatments are medications and surgery to fix or replace faulty heart valves. These treatment options can also help stop abnormal heart rhythms and improve symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, or pain in the chest.

Medications

Medicines can ease heart valve disease symptoms by preventing abnormal heart rhythm. They include beta-blockers, digoxin, and calcium channel blockers. They can also stop blood clots from forming in the heart or lungs, which can cause damage.

Other treatment options

Nonsurgical treatment options such as balloon valvuloplasty can open a narrowed or stenotic heart valve. In this procedure, the healthcare provider inserts a thin tube with a balloon at the tip through a blood vessel to the narrowed valve. This tube is then inflated to widen the opening of the valve and increase blood flow. Other procedures include annuloplasty, which repairs an enlarged annulus (a ring of fibrous tissue at the base of the heart valve). Sutures are sewn around the ring to make it smaller, or a ring-like device is attached around the outside of the opening.

Prevention

There are many things patients can do to prevent heart valve disorder, including

- Eating a healthy diet full of fibre and nutrient-rich.
- Exercising regularly
- Quitting smoking
- Check blood pressure regularly
- Maintain good oral and gum health
- Regular checkups

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert cardiology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

Heart valve disease is a challenging condition requiring quick medical treatment. Patients and their loved ones should be aware of the challenges and treatments available and seek help if they experience any difficulties.

FAQs

Q. How to prevent heart valve disease? A. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly can help prevent the symptoms of heart valve disorder.

Q. What are the 4 types of heart valve disease? A. 4 types of heart valve disorder are as follows:

- Bicuspid aortic valve disease
- Valvular regurgitation
- Valvular stenosis
- Mitral valve prolapse

Q. Is heart valve disease curable? A. Yes, heart valve disorder can be treated in various ways depending on its severity. Medication and lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet modifications may suffice in mild cases. However, surgery may be necessary to replace or repair the damaged valve in more severe cases. Depending on the individual case, this can involve open-heart surgery or minimally invasive procedures.

Q. What is the most common heart valve disease? A. Bicuspid aortic valve disease is the most common heart valve disease. This condition occurs when the aortic valve narrows, making it harder for blood to flow from the heart to the rest of the body.

References

- https://www.healthline.com/health/heart/valve-disorders