Heart valve disorder

Heart valve disorder refers to any dysfunction or disease that affects the heart valves. The heart has four valves: the mitral valve, tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve, and aortic valve. These valves have tissue flaps that open and close with each heartbeat, ensuring blood flows in the right direction. Heart valve disorders can affect any one of these valves.

Types of Heart Valve Disorders

There are several types of heart valve disorders, including:

• Valvular stenosis: This occurs when a heart valve doesn't open fully due to stiff or fused leaflets. The narrowed opening may reduce the amount of blood the heart can pump to the body.

• Valvular insufficiency: Also known as regurgitation, incompetence, or "leaky valve", this occurs when a valve does not close tightly. If the valves do not seal, some blood will leak backwards across the valve.

• Valve prolapse: This occurs when the leaflets of the heart valve bulge or prolapse back into the upper chamber, causing blood to leak back into the atrium.

Causes

Heart valve disorders can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Congenital heart defect: Some people are born with abnormalities in their heart valves.

• Ageing: As a person ages, the heart valves may naturally thicken and become stiffer.

• Infections: Certain infections, such as rheumatic fever or infective endocarditis, can damage the heart valves.

• Cardiomyopathy: This is a disease of the heart muscle that can lead to heart valve disorders.

Symptoms

Symptoms of heart valve disorders can vary depending on the severity of the condition, but may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Heart murmur
• Swelling of your ankles and feet
• Dizziness
• Fainting

Treatment

Treatment for heart valve disorders depends on the severity and type of the disorder. Some treatment options include:

• Medication: Certain medications can help manage the symptoms of heart valve disorders.

• Valve repair: This is a surgical procedure to repair a damaged valve.

• Valve replacement: In severe cases, the damaged valve may need to be replaced with a mechanical valve or a valve made from cow, pig or human heart tissue.

See Also

• Cardiology
• Heart disease
• Cardiovascular system