Valvular Heart Disease
Understanding Valvular Heart Disease
Valvular heart disease refers to conditions affecting the heart valves, which regulate blood flow within the heart chambers. When heart valves become damaged or dysfunctional, they may not open or close properly, leading to impaired blood flow and potentially serious complications.
Types and Causes
Valvular heart disease can involve any of the four heart valves:
- Aortic Valve: Aortic valve stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leakage)
- Mitral Valve: Mitral valve stenosis or regurgitation
- Tricuspid Valve: Tricuspid valve stenosis or regurgitation
- Pulmonary Valve: Pulmonary valve stenosis or regurgitation
Valvular heart disease can be caused by congenital abnormalities, acquired conditions (such as rheumatic fever, infective endocarditis, or degenerative changes associated with aging), or other medical conditions (such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, or connective tissue disorders).
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The symptoms of valvular heart disease depend on the type and severity of the valve dysfunction but may include:
- Shortness of breath, especially during exertion or when lying flat
- Fatigue and weakness
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Heart palpitations
- Swelling in the legs or abdomen
Diagnosis typically involves a combination of medical history review, physical examination, imaging tests (such as echocardiography), electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG), and sometimes cardiac catheterization or MRI to assess valve structure and function.
Treatment and Management
Treatment for valvular heart disease aims to alleviate symptoms, improve heart function, and prevent complications. The approach depends on the type and severity of valve dysfunction and may include:
- Medications to manage symptoms (such as diuretics or beta-blockers) or reduce the risk of complications (such as anticoagulants)
- Surgical interventions to repair or replace damaged heart valves, including minimally invasive procedures (such as balloon valvuloplasty) or open-heart surgery (such as valve repair or replacement)
- Transcatheter procedures, such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or MitraClip for mitral valve repair, for selected patients deemed high-risk for surgery
