- BreathAndBeats
Heart Valve Disease Causes Disruption In Your Blood Flow
Heart valve disease is a medical condition that would affect one or more valves of the heart. The valves have the function to keep the blood flow in the proper and correct direction in the heart. But there are cases where the valve(s) may not function the right way, such as not close and/or open properly. This in result will cause the blood flow to be disrupted, from the heart to the body.
Symptoms
It happens usually that the people who suffer from the heart valve disease do not experience any sign or symptom of it for years. These symptoms are:
An abnormal sound, known as the heart murmur. (A doctor can listen to the heart beating and sounds with the use of a stethoscope)
Fatigue
Experiencing shortness of breath, especially during an activity active or while lying down
Ankles and feet swelling up
Dizziness
Fainting
Irregular heartbeat
Causes of heart valve disease
There are 4 heart valves, namely, the mitral valve, tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve and aortic valve. Each of these valves have flap like structures (like leaflets or cups). These flaps would open and close just once each time the heart beats. The causes can be various in adults, such as, certain heart diseases or infections, history of heart attack(s) or even presence of the heart valve disease at birth (congenital)

(Image courtesy – Shutterstock)
Diagnosis
The initial diagnostic step is that the doctor will conduct an examination by the use of a stethoscope. This helps the doctor to listen if there is presence of a heart murmur, as this is a sign of the disease.
Also, the doctor will prescribe certain tests, such as:
Echocardiography
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Chest X-ray
Exercise tests or stress tests
Cardiac MRI
Cardiac catheterization
Risk factors for heart valve disease
There are few factors that can increase the risk of this disease:
Old age
Medical history of infections that may affect your heart
Heart attack in the past
Certain forms of heart disease
High cholesterol and/or high blood pressure
Presence of certain heart conditions present since birth (congenital)
Complications
Complications that can occur because of heart valve disease are:
Heart failure
Stroke
Blood clots
Heart rhythm abnormalities
Death
Treatment
The treatment for this medical condition depends on the severity of it. The specialist will generally recommend lifestyle changes and prescribe medications. There are other options as well, as mentioned above, which are based on the severity and best suited according to the medical case of the particular patient. These are:
Heart valve repair
Heart valve replacement
Lifestyle and home remedies
Avoid alcohol and tobacco products
Better mental health and less stressful environment
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