Valvular Disease
Just like your home plumbing system, normal heart function is
dependent on several valves. The heart valves separate the four
major chambers and keep the blood going in the correct direction.
Heart valves can become leaky (regurgitant or insufficient) or
narrowed (stenotic, stenosis). Patients with valve disease often
have heart murmurs.
Valve problems can be due to defects in the valves architecture
which are originating since birth (congenital) or acquired over
time. It can also be related to other illnesses such as hypertension
or rheumatic fever.
When valves are stenotic, pressure builds up and the heart has to
work harder than normal to move the blood forward. In Aortic
Stenosis, for example, the main pumping chamber has to work very
hard to pump the blood out the aorta to the body. As it progresses,
affected individuals may feel tired and breathless, dizzy, or
experience chest pain. Sometimes surgery is required to replace the
aortic valve.
Leaky or regurgitant valves result in back-up of blood. This makes
the heart less efficient since it has to pump more and often the
chambers enlarge and result in higher pressures, fatigue,
breathlessness, and arrhythmias.
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common condition in which the
mitral valve tissue is ‘floppy’ and may be associated with a leaky
mitral valve (‘mitral regurgitation’). It is more common in women
and may be found in young age. Palpations and even chest pains have
been linked to this valve problem and a careful evaluation is
sometimes warranted. Most patients with MVP do not have symptoms, do
not have severe valve regurgitation, and, therefore, will not have
problems. Some patients may be advised to take antibiotics at the
time of dental procedures to minimize the already low risk of heart
valve infections. Please speak with your cardiologist to determine
if you may require this.
Following a careful physical examination and cardiologist
evaluation, Echocardiography is an essential test to further
evaluate the valve problem. Echocardiography is often repeated over
time to track any changes and aid in the timing of any needed
surgery or intervention.
Several physicians at Cardiac Specialists have a particular interest
and expertise in the management of valvular disease. Medications can
often be used to help delay progression of valvular disease.
Antibiotics at the time of ‘unclean’ procedures like at the dentist
may be advised to prevent heart infections. If surgery is required,
great advances have been made using ‘minimally invasive’ surgical
techniques to repair or replace the affected valve.
Please visit these sites for more information and speak with your
Cardiac Specialists physician.
American Heart Association, Mitral Valve Disease and MVP
NHLBI, MVP
American Heart Association, Aortic Regurgitation
American Heart Association, Aortic Stenosis |
