Understanding Valvular Heart Disease and When to Seek Help
Your heart’s four valves—the aortic, mitral, tricuspid, and pulmonary valves—are essential for maintaining proper blood flow through the heart and to the rest of the body. Each valve opens and closes with every heartbeat, ensuring blood moves in the right direction. However, when one or more of these valves become damaged or diseased, it can lead to valvular heart disease, a condition that can have serious implications if left untreated.
At Cardiology Specialists Melbourne, we specialise in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of valvular heart disease in Melbourne, offering advanced care options, including transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for suitable patients. Our highly experienced team provides individualised care using the latest in medical technology and techniques.
What Is Valvular Heart Disease?
Valvular heart disease occurs when one or more of the heart’s valves do not function properly, affecting blood flow through the heart. There are two primary types of valve dysfunction:
- Stenosis, when a heart valve becomes narrowed or stiff, restricting the flow of blood. This can lead to the heart working harder to pump blood, eventually weakening the heart muscle.
- Regurgitation (or insufficiency), when a valve fails to close completely, allowing blood to leak backward. This inefficiency can cause volume overload in the heart chambers and reduce blood flow to the rest of the body.
While any valve can be affected, the aortic and mitral valves are most commonly involved in significant valvular conditions. These issues may arise from congenital defects, age-related degeneration, rheumatic fever, infections such as endocarditis, or complications from other types of heart disease.
Valvular Heart Disease Symptoms
Valvular heart disease symptoms can develop slowly or come on suddenly, depending on the severity and rate of disease progression. It’s essential to recognise the signs early and consult a cardiologist in Melbourne if you experience:
- Shortness of breath, especially during exertion or when lying flat
- Chest pain or pressure
- Fatigue and reduced ability to exercise
- Irregular heartbeat or palpitations
- Dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting
- Swelling in the ankles, feet, or abdomen
Some people may not experience symptoms until the condition has advanced. Routine heart check-ups can help detect silent or early-stage disease.
When to Seek Help
If you’re noticing symptoms—or have risk factors such as older age, high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease, or a history of rheumatic fever—it’s important to see a heart specialist in Melbourne. Early intervention can prevent complications like heart failure, stroke, or sudden cardiac arrest.
Cardiology Specialists Melbourne offers comprehensive evaluations, including echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and stress testing to assess valve function and determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
How Is Valvular Heart Disease Treated?
Treatment options depend on the type and severity of the valve problem, as well as your overall health. Mild cases may be managed with lifestyle changes, medications to control symptoms, and regular monitoring. However, moderate to severe cases often require surgical or minimally invasive procedures to repair or replace the affected valve.
Common treatment options include:
- Surgical Valve Replacement or Repair: An open-heart procedure used to correct or replace the damaged valve. This is often the standard approach for patients who are good surgical candidates.
- TAVI in Melbourne (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation): A less invasive alternative for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are considered high risk for open-heart surgery. This procedure involves threading a new valve into place via a catheter inserted through a blood vessel, usually in the leg.
At Cardiology Specialists Melbourne, we are proud to offer TAVI in Melbourne, performed by highly trained interventional cardiologists. These procedures are carried out in state-of-the-art cardiac facilities and have shown excellent outcomes in restoring valve function and improving quality of life.
Living with Valvular Heart Disease
If you’ve been diagnosed with valvular heart disease, it’s important to work closely with your cardiologist in Melbourne to monitor progression and manage risk factors. Lifestyle modifications such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, and managing conditions like diabetes or hypertension can help reduce strain on the heart.
Your cardiologist may also recommend regular imaging tests to monitor valve function and determine when intervention is necessary.
Don’t ignore the signs of valvular heart disease. If you’re experiencing symptoms, or if you have a known heart murmur or risk factors, early assessment can be life-saving.