The heart has four chambers: the right and left ventricles and the right and left atrium (plural-atria). The ventricles, at the bottom of the heart, are responsible for pumping blood throughout the body, and the atria, at the top of the heart, collect blood returning to the heart from the body. The chambers are divided by valves, made up of two or three leaflets, or flaps, that open and close to control blood flow from one section of the heart to the other, or to and from the rest of the body. These valves may become damaged or have disease or malformations. This is called heart valve disease. There are four heart valves:
Healthy heart valves can completely open and close during a single heartbeat, directing blood flow correctly throughout the heart and into the lungs and circulation through the body. With heart valve disease, the valves are not able to completely open and close correctly.
Heart valve disease is divided into three types:
People with heart valve disease may have these symptoms:
-chest pain
-tiredness
-shortness of breath
-dizziness or fainting
-quick weight gain
-irregular heartbeat
-weakness
-swollen feet, legs, or belly
Heart valve disease symptoms can happen quickly or slowly over time. You may not notice symptoms until the valve disease is very advanced. It is also possible to have uncomfortable symptoms when the valve condition is not severe.
Heart valve disease can be congenital (a condition you are born with) or can develop later in life. Congenital heart valve disease may not have any specific cause or risk factor. Risk factors for non-congenital heart valve disease include infection, degeneration (wearing out with age), or other heart-disease related conditions. Rheumatic fever, caused by the bacteria that causes strep throat, may cause heart valve disease, so it is important to complete treatment with antibiotic medication if you develop strep throat. An infection in the heart lining, called endocarditis, can also cause valve disease. IV drug abuse is a common cause of endocarditis. Other heart diseases such as high blood pressure, heart attack, atherosclerosis (plaque build-up in the arteries), as well as autoimmune diseases, Marfan Syndrome, radiation exposure, and aging are all risk factors for heart valve disease.
Congenital heart valve disease is often found in an ultrasound before birth or is detected shortly after birth. Healthcare providers listening to the heartbeat may hear a strange sound, called a heart murmur. The specific sound or location of the murmur may help determine which heart valve is affected. An echocardiogram (like an ultrasound on the heart) may also be used to diagnose heart valve conditions.
Heart valve conditions that are not severe can be treated with medications. A severe defect, or a heart valve condition that causes severe symptoms is treated with surgery to repair or replace the valve.
Congenital heart valve disease is usually not preventable. Treatment of infections that cause heart valve disease, as well as avoidance of high-risk behaviour like IV drug abuse may help prevent infection-related heart valve diseases. Proper treatment and lifestyle changes (such as taking medication, diet, and exercise) may help prevent heart valve disease related to other diseases, so it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and visit the doctor regularly for well visits/check-ups.