Table of Contents
What conditions affect heart valves?
The causes of heart valve damage vary depending on the type of disease present, and may include the following:
- Changes in the heart valve structure due to aging.
- Coronary artery disease and heart attack.
- Heart valve infection.
- Birth defect.
- Syphilis (a sexually-transmitted infection)
What is the most common heart valve abnormality?
Mitral valve prolapse: The most common heart valve abnormality and the No. 1 cause for mitral regurgitation, this is when the mitral valve doesn’t open and close properly.
What are valve defects caused by?
There are several causes of valvular heart disease, including congenital conditions (being born with it), infections, degenerative conditions (wearing out with age), and conditions linked to other types of heart disease.
What is a symptom of valve disease?
Some physical signs of heart valve disease can include: Chest pain or palpitations (rapid rhythms or skips) Shortness of breath, difficulty catching your breath, fatigue, weakness, or inability to maintain regular activity level. Lightheadedness or fainting. Swollen ankles, feet or abdomen.
How are heart valve problems diagnosed?
An ECG can detect enlarged chambers of your heart, heart disease and abnormal heart rhythms. Chest X-ray. A chest X-ray can help your doctor determine whether the heart is enlarged, which can indicate certain types of heart valve disease. A chest X-ray can also help doctors determine the condition of your lungs.
What happens if heart valves are damaged?
If the valve doesn’t open fully, it will block or restrict the flow of blood. This is called valve stenosis or valve narrowing. If the valve doesn’t close fully, the blood will leak back into the heart instead of forwards into the body.
What is the most serious heart condition?
Blockage in the coronary arteries is called coronary artery disease—a condition in which the heart muscles don’t get enough blood and oxygen. The most serious effect of coronary artery disease is sudden death without warning.
How is heart valve disease diagnosed?
Echocardiography (echo) is the main test for diagnosing heart valve disease. But an EKG (electrocardiogram) or chest x ray commonly is used to reveal certain signs of the condition. If these signs are present, echo usually is done to confirm the diagnosis.
What causes thickening of heart valves?
The area through which blood moves out of the heart to the aorta is narrowed (stenosis). When the aortic valve opening is narrowed, your heart must work harder to pump enough blood into the aorta and to the rest of your body. The extra work of the heart can cause the left ventricle to thicken and enlarge.
How do you diagnose heart valve problems?
What causes weak heart valves?
Other causes of valve disease include: coronary artery disease, heart attack, cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease), syphilis (a sexually transmitted disease), high blood pressure, aortic aneurysms, and connective tissue diseases. Less common causes of valve disease include tumors, some types of drugs, and radiation.
What happens if heart valves are not functioning properly?
If the valve doesn’t close fully, the blood will leak back into the heart instead of forwards into the body. This is called valve incompetence, valve regurgitation or a leaky valve. These problems can put extra strain on your heart and make your heart work harder.