Heart valve disease
Heart valve disease
Heart valve disease may be present at birth (congenital). It can also occur in adults due to many causes and conditions, such as infections and other heart conditions.
Heart valve problems may include:
- Regurgitation. In this condition, the valve flaps don't close properly, causing blood to leak backward in your heart. This commonly occurs due to valve flaps bulging back, a condition called prolapse.
- Stenosis. In valve stenosis, the valve flaps become thick or stiff, and they may fuse together. This results in a narrowed valve opening and reduced blood flow through the valve.
- Atresia. In this condition, the valve isn't formed, and a solid sheet of tissue blocks the blood flow between the heart chambers.
Risk factors
Several factors can increase your risk of heart valve disease, including:
- Older age
- History of certain infections that can affect the heart
- History of certain forms of heart disease or heart attack
- High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and other heart disease risk factors
- Heart conditions present at birth (congenital heart disease)
Complications
Heart valve disease can cause many complications, including:
- Heart failure
- Stroke
- Blood clots
- Heart rhythm abnormalities
- Death
Symptoms
Some people with heart valve disease might not experience symptoms for many years. Signs and symptoms of heart valve disease may include:
- Abnormal sound (heart murmur) when a doctor is listening to the heart beating with a stethoscope
- Chest pain
- Abdominal swelling (more common with advanced tricuspid regurgitation)
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath, particularly when you have been very active or when you lie down
- Swelling of your ankles and feet
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Irregular heartbeat
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Calvin Parker