Heart Valve Problems

What causes heart valve disease?

• Being born with an abnormal valve or valves (congenital heart disease)
• The effects of rheumatic fever (rheumatic heart disease)
• Ageing of the heart
• As the result of cardiomyopathy
• Heart disease
• Previously having endocarditis

Signs and symptoms

There are two general types of cardiac valve defects: stenosis and insufficiency. Some patients, however, may have a combination of stenosis and insufficiency. Valvular stenosis results from a narrowing of the valve orifice that is usually caused by a thickening and increased rigidity of the valve leaflets, often accompanied by calcification.

When this occurs, the valve does not open completely as blood flows across it, thereby resulting in a high resistance to flow and the development of a large pressure gradient across the valve when blood is flowing through the valve.

Valvular insufficiency results from the valve leaflets not completely sealing when the valve is closed so that regurgitation of blood occurs (backward flow of blood) into the chamber.

How are heart valve problems diagnosed?

Valve disease may have mild, moderate, or severe symptoms. If left untreated, heart valve disease ultimately results in heart failure.

Symptoms can include:

• Shortness of breath
• Severe swelling
• Palpitations, rapid thumping or a pounding sensation in your chest
• Chest pain
• Fainting or light-headedness
• Low or high blood pressure (depending upon the affected valve)
• Abdominal pain
• Lethargy
• Increased wet coughing
• Decreased endurance

Sometimes a doctor may hear a heart murmur (a swishing sound) when listening to the heart through a stethoscope. A heart murmur may not be the result of a blood flow problem, but, because it may signify a heart valve problem further testing should be performed.

To accurately diagnose valve disease, your doctor may prescribe one of the following.

• Electrocardiograms (ECG)
• Echocardiogram (Echo)
• Chest X-Ray
• Coronary Angiography (Cardiac Catheterization).

How are valve problems treated?

Most valve problems can be treated using medicines or by surgery. Your treatment will depend on the cause of your problem and the effect that it is having on your heart.

What can I do to control my valve problem?

In many cases, there is nothing you can do to prevent heart valve disease. It is often caused by a congenital heart disorder or advancing age. By knowing that you have a heart valve problem you can make some lifestyle changes to help you stay well and in control.

• Choose a heart healthy diet
• Quit smoking
• Enjoy at least 30 minutes of exercise a day.