Heart Valve Disease
Heart valve disease refers to conditions that affect the functioning of the valves in the heart, impairing their ability to properly regulate blood flow.
Types of Heart Valve Disease
- Stenosis: The valve becomes narrowed or constricted, impeding the flow of blood through the valve.
- Regurgitation (insufficiency or incompetence): The valve does not close properly, causing blood to leak backward instead of flowing forward.
- Prolapse: The valve leaflets bulge or collapse backward into the heart’s chambers during contraction.
Common valves affected by heart valve disease include:
- Aortic valve: Located between the left ventricle and the aorta.
- Mitral valve: Located between the left atrium and the left ventricle.
- Tricuspid valve: Located between the right atrium and the right ventricle.
- Pulmonary valve: Located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery.
Causes
Heart valve disease can be caused by various factors, including:
- Congenital heart defects (present at birth)
- Age-related degeneration (calcification or wear and tear)
- Rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease
- Infective endocarditis (infection of the heart valves)
- Connective tissue disorders (e.g., Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome)
- Coronary artery disease and heart attacks
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle)
- Radiation therapy to the chest
- Certain medications or drug use (e.g., fen-phen, certain chemotherapy drugs)
Symptoms
The symptoms of heart valve disease can vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Common signs and symptoms include:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Shortness of breath, especially during exertion or when lying flat (orthopnea)
- Palpitations or rapid heartbeat
- Chest pain or discomfort, particularly during physical activity or exertion
- Dizziness or fainting
- Swelling in the ankles, feet, abdomen, or veins in the neck
- Rapid weight gain due to fluid retention
Risk Factors
Several factors can increase the risk of developing heart valve disease, including:
- Congenital heart defects
- Rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease
- Age (risk increases with advancing age)
- History of heart attacks or coronary artery disease
- High blood pressure
- Infective endocarditis (heart valve infection)
- Connective tissue disorders
- Radiation therapy to the chest
- Certain medications or drug use
Diagnosis
To diagnose heart valve disease, a healthcare professional may perform various tests and assessments, including:
- Physical examination and medical history assessment
- Echocardiogram: Uses sound waves to create images of the heart and assess valve structure and function.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): Records the electrical activity of the heart to detect abnormalities.
- Chest X-ray: Helps assess the size and shape of the heart and detect signs of valve disease.
- Cardiac catheterization: Invasive procedure to measure pressures in the heart and assess blood flow.
- Stress tests and imaging tests: Evaluate heart function during physical activity or under stress.
- Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE): Involves inserting a probe down the esophagus to obtain detailed images of the heart valves.
Treatment
The treatment of heart valve disease depends on the severity of the condition, the type of valve involved, and the symptoms experienced. Treatment options may include:
- Medications: To manage symptoms, reduce fluid buildup, prevent blood clots, or control underlying conditions.
- Valve repair: Surgical procedure to restore the normal function of the damaged valve.
- Valve replacement: Surgical procedure to remove the damaged valve and replace it with a mechanical or biological valve.
- Transcatheter valve therapy: Minimally invasive procedure that repairs or replaces a valve using a catheter-based approach.
- Balloon valvuloplasty: Inflation of a balloon within a narrowed valve to widen it and improve blood flow.
When to Consult a Physician
It is important to consult a physician if you experience symptoms suggestive of heart valve disease, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, or swelling in the extremities. Additionally, if you have a known heart condition or risk factors for heart valve disease and experience worsening symptoms or new symptoms, seeking medical attention promptly is crucial. A UTHealth Houston physician can evaluate your symptoms, perform appropriate tests, and provide personalized advice and treatment options.