What is valvular heart disease?
Valvular heart disease occurs when one or more of the heart’s valves become damaged or diseased, compromising their function. Valves play a crucial role in ensuring blood flows in the correct direction through the heart chamber and any disruption in their function can impair cardiac output and lead to symptoms and complications.
The heart contains four primary valves:
Causes and risk factors
Several factors can contribute to the development of valvular heart disease, including:
- Age: Degenerative changes in the valves are common with aging leading to conditions such as calcific aortic stenosis and degenerative mitral valve disease.
- Congenital heart defects: Some people are born with abnormalities in the structure or function of heart valves, predisposing them to valvular heart disease.
- Rheumatic fever: Untreated streptococcal infections such as rheumatic fever can damage heart valves and lead to conditions such as rheumatic heart disease.
- Infective endocarditis: Bacterial or fungal infections of the heart valves can cause inflammation and damage, leading to valvular heart disease.
- Connective tissue disorders: Conditions such as Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can affect the structure and function of heart valves.
- History of radiation therapy: Radiation therapy to the chest can increase the risk of valvular heart disease later in life.
Symptoms
There is a chance that valvular heart disease may not display symptoms until it is quite advanced. Some of these symptoms include:
- Chest pain
- Abdominal sweating
- Fatigue
- Dizziness and fainting
- Irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
Why is valvular heart disease dangerous?
Heart valve diseases impair the functionality of the heart valves, affecting their capacity to operate effectively. They can cause the valves to become rigid and hindered in their opening (stenosis) or ineffective in closing properly (regurgitation). Consequently, this can lead to diminished blood flow through the valves or a reverse flow of blood within the heart, increasing the risk of complications such as blood clots, stroke and heart failure.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing valvular heart disease involves a comprehensive evaluation that may include various tests and assessments to determine the type and severity of the condition.
Treatments
The treatment of valvular heart disease aims to alleviate symptoms, improve heart function and reduce the risk of complications. Treatment options may include:
More information
Learn more about the heart’s valves and the conditions which affect them:
Heart Valve Diseases – Johns Hopkins Medicine Â
Find out more about the diagnostic process for valvular heart disease and its treatment options:
Heart Valve Disease – Diagnosis and Treatment – Mayo ClinicÂ
Access resources and read stories from other heart valve disease patients: