Your heart is comprised of four valves (tricuspid, aortic, pulmonary, and mitral). Together, they help ensure that the direction in which your blood flows within the muscle and throughout your body is appropriate. At the beginning of a heartbeat, blood flows into your heart's two top chambers. When those chambers fill up, two valves open and allow the blood to flow into the two bottom chambers. Then, they shut to prevent backflow. Eventually, the other two valves open and allow the blood to flow from the two bottom chambers.
Three problems can occur. First, if any of the flaps which are supposed to prevent backflow fail to operate properly, leakage can take place. Second, if they stiffen (a condition known as stenosis), flow problems can also happen. Third, a disorder called atresia describes a condition in which there is no passageway to allow the flow of blood in the first place.
Below, we'll discuss the factors which can put a person at risk of developing heart valve disease (HVD). We'll also describe a few of the symptoms that usually manifest as well as treatment and lifestyle considerations.
Risk Factors
Age is a primary factor; the condition usually develops as people grow older. It is most prevelant in men over 65 and women over 75. That said, obesity, smoking, drug use, and high cholesterol levels also play major roles. HVD can also develop as a result of rheumatic fever, though antibiotics are often used to successfully hold rheumatic fever at bay.
A number of other factors can either trigger HVD or exacerbate it. For example, drugs that are commonly used to lose weight (i.e. phentermine) can damage the flaps. Radiation treatment which is applied to the area surrounding the heart and even tumors found within digestive tract can also cause problems.
Symptoms, Treatment, And Lifestyle
The first sign of heart valve disease is a murmur. However, this is usually insufficient for diagnosing the condition; a lot of people have murmurs without HVD. As time passes, other symptoms will grow more pronounced. Difficulty breathing after strenuous physical activity, quick fatigue, and even swelling in the feet can suggest the presence of HVD.
Once the condition has been diagnosed, a doctor will normally suggest lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and developing a healthy diet. He or she may also recommend medications in order to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as prevent clotting. If surgery is necessary, a doctor will choose between repairing the heart valves (preferable) and performing a replacement.
Once a patient develops HVD, it is nearly always a lifelong affliction. Having said that, if it is diagnosed early enough, closely following a doctor's recommended lifestyle changes can often prevent the need for surgery.
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