A quiet threat that threatens millions of individuals globally is heart valve disease. It happens when your heart's valves do not function properly, which can cause severe difficulties and even put your life in danger.
Heart Valve Disease: What Is It?
Heart valve disease is when one or more of the four valves in the heart do not work properly. These valves control blood flow through the heart, and when they are not working correctly, it can lead to problems like shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain.
There are many types of heart valve disease, but some common causes include age, infection, and congenital defects.
Treatment for heart valve disease can range from medication to surgery, depending on the severity of the condition. See a doctor if you experience symptoms or have a family history of heart valve disease.
Heart Valve Disease Types
Heart valve illness comes in several forms and can harm more than one valve.
1. The Valve Stenosis
Due to valvular stenosis, the tissues that make up the valve leaflets harden, limiting the amount of blood that can flow through the valve by narrowing the aperture.
Insufficiency Of The Valves
Valvular insufficiency (also known as regurgitation, incompetence, or “leaky valve”) is a disorder in which the leaflets don't completely close, enabling blood to escape the valve.
2. Atresia Of The Valves
Valvular atresia is the medical term for when a heart valve does not correctly form before birth. This is typically identified very early on in infancy.
Who Is More Prone To Developing Heart Valve Diseases?
You are more likely to get heart valve disease if you are older because as you become older, your heart valves may become thicker and stiffer.
- Heart Attack
- Heart Failure
- High Cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Chest pain
- Exhaustion
- Fainting Spells
- Shortness Of Breath
- Fever
Causes Of Heart Valve Disease
Heart valve disease may be influenced by the deterioration of the heart valve that comes with ageing. Heart valve disease may also result from congenital heart problems or abnormalities like a bicuspid aortic valve.
Examinations That Could Look For Heart Valve Disease
The doctor will carry out one or more of the following examinations to identify heart valve disease:
1. A Physical Assessment
Your doctor will also check for ankle or leg oedema and listen to your heart and lungs.
2. A Chest X-Ray
This X-ray will measure your heart's size and check for fluid in your lungs.
3. Echocardiogram Or “Echo”
It examines how well your heart's valves function, monitors blood flow, and considers how well your heart pumps blood.
4. Electrocardiogram
Your heartbeat and heart rate are checked by an ECG, detecting whether your heart chambers are thicker than they should be.
5. Coronary Angiography And Cardiac Catheterization
Measure the size, function, and flow of the ar
teries that supply the heart muscle and the pressure in the heart's chambers.
Heart Valve Disease Treat
ment
The available treatments include the ones listed below.
1. Medicine
Heart valve problems cannot be cured. However, medication may lessen other symptoms like oedema, high blood pressure, and irregular heartbeat. Diuretics (water pills) reduce fluid retention and oedema in the body. Blood thinners help prevent blood clots and r
educe the risk of developing new heart problems.
- Antiarrhythmic medications to halt irregular or rapid heartbeats (arrhythmias).
- If you also suffer from valvular heart disease (such as heart failure or coronary disease), you can be prescribed medication to minimise the pressure on your heart and relieve your symptoms.
- With the help of tools and recommendations, you can keep track of prescriptions, travel, storage, interactions, and more.
2. Operations And Other Processes
Your heart valves may need to be repaire
d o
r replaced during surgery to treat heart valve obstruction.
3. Repairing Valves
Heart valves can have rips or holes filled, the valve can be altered, or the valve leaflets can be divided to enable proper opening and shutting.
Passing a narrow catheter with a balloon at
the tip through a blood vessel to the valve can open stenosis a restricted valve. The balloon is subsequently inflated to enlarge the valve opening. This process is known as balloon valvuloplasty.
4. Replaced Valves
If it cannot be repaired, a damaged heart valve may be removed and changed with a biological or mechanical valve. A conversation between you and your do
ctor will determine the appropriate course of action for you and your circumstances.
Mechanical valves are made from sturdy materials such as metals, carbon, ceramics, and polymers.
5. Personal Changes
- Do not smoke.
- Get moving more.
- Aim to maintain a healthy weight.
- Drink less alcohol, manage stress, and eat a healthy, balanced diet, all of which have been demonstrated to reduce the risk of heart disease.
A Lifetime Of Valvular Heart Disease
Numerous valvular heart disease sufferers lead busy lifestyles. However, remember the following as you learn to live with your heart condition.
The Last Say
Chronic heart valve disease can be managed medically or surgically. However, you can still contribute regardless of what your provider does. You can visit the cardiology department at Bansal Hospital Bhopal in case of an emergency or medical concern to receive the most accurate diagnosis and a painless course of treatment.
