Heart has four valves and they regulate the blood flow into and out of the heart. Heart valves can get damaged over time leading to leaky or narrow heart valves. It is important to identify these symptoms of leaky heart valves so that treatment can be started soon. The common types of heart valve problems include aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation. In this article learn about the anatomy of heart valves, symptoms and treatment of heart valve problems.
The heart has four chambers, two on the top and two at the bottom. Top chambers are small, called atrium. Bottom chambers are larger and called ventricles. Atria and ventricles are divided by a muscle into the left and right side. These chambers work in sync with each other so that blood flow in one direction from one chamber to the other( from Right upper chamber to the right lower chamber to Lungs to Left upper chamber to left lower chamber to Rest of the body). Heart valves are like doors between two chambers which open and close at the right time so that blood does not flow back and continues to flow in the right direction. The heart has four valves – tricuspid valve and pulmonary valve on the right side, mitral and aortic valve on the left side.
Pulmonary valve: It is located between the right ventricle and lungs and opens to allow blood flow from the right ventricle to the lungs.
Mitral valve: It is located between the left atrium and left ventricle and opens to allow blood flow from the left atrium and left ventricle.
Aortic valve: It is located between the left ventricle and aorta, the main artery of the body and opens to allow blood flow from the left ventricle to aorta.
Stenosis or Narrowing of the valves: Valve opening can become restricted or narrow causing difficult for blood to flow.
Leaky or Regurgitant valves: Valve does not close properly, and blood flow in the opposite direction making it hard for the heart to pump blood.
Leaky and Narrow Heart Valve Problems by age in USA
|
| <45 years | 45 to 54 years | 55 to 64 years | 65 to 74 years | >75 years |
| Aortic Stenosis | 0.02 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 2.8 |
| Aortic Regurgitation | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 2.0 |
| Mitral Stenosis | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| Mitral Regurgitation | 0.5 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 6.4 | 9.3 |
Your doctor will like to do a thorough examination of your chest to look for signs of heart valve disease. To confirm the diagnosis your cardiologist might advise you to undergo some tests like:
Your Cardiologist will treat primary medical problems like hypertension and infection. There are no specific medications to treat valves. The problems are generally treated with open-heart surgery to replace or repair the valve. Some valve problems like mitral regurgitation and aortic stenosis can be fixed via nonsurgical approach in some patients
The 2 main kind of artificial valve is mechanical valves and tissue valves. Mechanical valve typically needs a lifelong blood thinner like warfarin but they usually have a longer life span. The tissue valves generally last for a shorter duration like 10 years but have the advantage of not needing blood thinners. Every patient’s circumstances are different due to the difference in kind of valve problem and other medical conditions.
This post was last modified on July 5, 2023 3:26 am
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