Heart Valve Disease

Heart valve disease occurs when your heart's valves don't work as they should. You have valves at the exit of each chamber of your heart. Each of these valves makes sure that blood flows freely in a forward direction and that there is no backward leakage.

The heart valves can malfunction either by leaking (valve regurgitation) or by failing to open enough (valve stenosis) because of hardening. Either problem can seriously interfere with the heart's ability to pump blood. Sometimes a valve has both problems.

Risk factors and causes

Sometimes the cause of valve disease is unknown. It can develop before birth (congenital) or can be acquired sometime during one's life. Risk factors for valve disease include: coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy), hypertension, and syphilis.

Prevention & Planning Ahead

To reduce your chance of developing valve disease, try to control your risk factors. Remain abstinent or use protection when having sex. The sexually transmitted disease syphilis has been shown to contribute to the development of heart valve disease.

Be sure to tell your doctor and dentist that you have valve disease and take antibiotics before any medical procedure that may cause you to bleed. This includes body piercing and tattoos. Call your doctor immediately if plan to have any of these procedures done. Also, consult your doctor if you are feeling sick to make sure your illness is not related to your valve disease.

Warning Signs

The symptoms of heart valve disease are not directly related to the severity of your heart valve disease. You many have no symptoms at all and have severe valve disease. On the other hand, you may have severe symptoms and tests show that your valve leak is not significant. Common symptoms include: shortness of breath and/or difficulty catching your breath, chest pain and rapid weight gain.

Diagnosis

To diagnosis heart disease your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and listen to your heart to hear the sounds your heart makes as the valves open and close. After an examination, your doctor may order studies to look at valve motion and function.

Intervention/Treatment

To treat symptoms and to lessen the chance of further valve damage medication may be given. An ACE inhibitor may be prescribed to widen the blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Anticoagulants or blood thinners are use to prevent blood clots. Diuretics (water pill) decrease the amount of fluid in the body. Surgery may also be considered. Your doctor in consultation with a cardiologist will determine which type of treatment is best for you.

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