Valvular Heart Disease - Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

What is Valvular Heart Disease?

Valvular heart disease (VHD) refers to any condition affecting one or more of the four heart valves:

• Mitral valve (between left atrium & left ventricle)
• Aortic valve (between left ventricle & aorta)
• Tricuspid valve (between right atrium & right ventricle)
• Pulmonary valve (between right ventricle & lungs)

When these valves fail to open or close properly, it disrupts blood flow and can lead to serious heart complications.

Types of Valvular Heart Disease

• Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP): The mitral valve flaps don’t close properly, allowing blood leakage (regurgitation).
• Aortic Stenosis: The aortic valve narrows, restricting blood flow.
• Mitral Stenosis: A narrowed mitral valve reduces blood flow from the left atrium.
• Aortic Regurgitation: Blood flows backward into the heart due to improper aortic valve closure.
• Mitral Regurgitation: Blood flows backward into the left atrium due to improper mitral valve closure.
• Tricuspid Regurgitation: A leaky tricuspid valve causes blood to flow backward into the right atrium.

Common Symptoms

Symptoms of valvular heart disease vary based on severity, but common signs include:

• Shortness of breath (especially during activity or lying down)
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Fatigue & weakness
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen
• Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
• Dizziness or fainting (syncope)

Causes & Risk Factors

• Age-related valve deterioration
• Congenital heart defects (born with abnormal valves)
• Rheumatic fever (following untreated strep throat)
• Endocarditis (heart valve infection)
• High blood pressure (long-term stress on valves)
• Heart attack or coronary artery disease (CAD)

How is Valvular Heart Disease Diagnosed?

Diagnosis involves a combination of physical exams and imaging tests:

• Echocardiogram (Echo): Ultrasound imaging to assess valve function.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): Checks for abnormal heart rhythms.
• Chest X-ray: Identifies heart enlargement or fluid buildup.
• Cardiac MRI: Provides detailed imaging of valve structure.

Treatment Options

• Medications: To control symptoms (diuretics, blood thinners, beta-blockers).
• Balloon Valvuloplasty: Minimally invasive procedure to widen a narrowed valve.
• Valve Repair/Replacement: Surgery to fix or replace damaged heart valves.
• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): Less invasive procedure for high-risk patients.

Prevention & Management

• Regular heart check-ups & early detection
• Healthy diet & weight management
• Exercise & stress reduction
• Managing blood pressure & cholesterol
• Quitting smoking & limiting alcohol