Heart Ailment Affecting Valves: Signs, Triggers, and Potential Hazards
Valvular heart disease is a condition that affects one or more of the heart's four valves, disrupting the normal flow of blood through the heart. This disease is more prevalent in males than females and is a concern for many, especially as we age.
The heart, a vital organ, has four chambers: the right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, and left ventricle. It also has four valves: the mitral valve, tricuspid valve, aortic valve, and pulmonary valve. Each valve plays a crucial role in the heart's function, ensuring that blood flows in the correct direction.
Lifestyle choices such as a lack of physical activity, an unhealthy diet, smoking, and obesity can increase a person's risk of developing valvular heart disease. Other heart diseases, such as coronary artery disease and irregular heartbeats, may also worsen the symptoms of valvular heart disease. Heart attacks may even lead to acute heart valve damage, causing heart failure.
A bicuspid aortic valve, a hereditary heart defect, is one of the common causes of valvular heart disease. This condition occurs when the aortic valve, which normally has three flaps, contains only two.
The symptoms of valvular heart disease can be subtle at first, often arising during strenuous physical exercise but may occur at rest over time. If the heart has to work harder over a long period due to valvular heart disease, it cannot return to its normal size, worsening the symptoms.
Common symptoms of valvular heart disease include shortness of breath, especially during activity or when lying flat; fatigue or feeling unusually tired with minimal exertion; chest pain or discomfort, often related to physical activity or stress; heart palpitations, such as a racing, pounding, or irregular heartbeat; swelling (edema) in the legs, ankles, or abdomen due to fluid buildup; dizziness or fainting (syncope), particularly during exertion; and a heart murmur, detectable by a doctor through abnormal heart sounds. Occasionally, rapid weight gain due to fluid retention may also occur.
Shortness of breath may worsen with exertion or be present even at rest. Fatigue occurs due to reduced cardiac output and inefficient blood circulation. Chest pain can mimic angina and sometimes appears as tightness or pressure. Palpitations result from irregular heart rhythms associated with valve dysfunction. Swelling reflects fluid accumulation as the heart struggles to pump effectively. Dizziness or fainting happens when the brain receives insufficient blood flow.
Recognizing these symptoms early is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment to prevent serious complications such as heart failure or arrhythmias.
Treatment for valvular heart disease varies depending on the severity of the condition. People can treat the disease with medications, but in the most serious cases, a person may require surgery. The type of surgery depends on which valve is involved and the cause of the disease. In some instances, a surgeon may replace the entire valve.
Rheumatic heart disease, a complication of rheumatic fever, is another concern. The aging process can also cause calcium deposits on the heart's valves, making them less efficient. Certain medical devices, such as defibrillators and pacemakers, can cause scar tissue and may stimulate the heart to beat out of rhythm, raising the risk of valvular heart diseases.
Radiation treatment for cancers can cause heart valves to thicken and narrow. A family history of valvular heart diseases or other heart diseases can also increase a person's risk of the disease. The heart muscle can thicken and lose elasticity due to valvular heart disease, and the ventricles may wear out, weakening the heart.
The most common types of valvular heart disease are aortic valve disease, rheumatic heart disease, and bicuspid aortic valve. It is important to remember that early recognition and treatment can significantly improve the prognosis for those affected by valvular heart disease.
[1] National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2021). Valvular Heart Disease. Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/valvular-heart-disease [2] American Heart Association. (2021). Valvular Heart Disease. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/valvular-heart-disease [3] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Valvular Heart Disease. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/valvular-heart-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20373026 [4] Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Valvular Heart Disease. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16608-valvular-heart-disease [5] British Heart Foundation. (2021). Valvular Heart Disease. Retrieved from https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions-and-diseases/heart-valve-problems/valvular-heart-disease
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