Heart valve disease is also called as Valvular Heart Disease.The heart has two halves, a left and right each with 2chambers the atrium and the ventricle. Between the chambers are the heart valves which ensure the blood runs only in one direction.
Heart valves separate the ventricle and the atrium chambers. On the right side of the heart called tricuspid valve and on the left side the mitral valve. There are also valves on each side between the heart and the major blood vessel taking blood away from the heart on the right this is pulmonary valve. On the left between the left ventricle and the aorta is aortic valve.
Heart valves are made up of caps of thin, strong tissue attached to the heart with fibrous cords. They can open only in one direction.
The valve has two functions: They allow blood to flow through them smoothly and they prevent blood from leaking back against the flow.
Heart valve disease is when one or more valves in the heart are not working fully and blood does into flow through the heart as it should.
Causes of Heart Valve Disease
Heart disease can be caused by many different things and comes in many different forms. When the heart valve becomes diseased one of the two things happen. It doesn't close tightly enough (called incompetence).to keep blood from backing up into the chamber from with it flowed or it doesn't open widely enough (called stenosis) open widely adequate amounts of blood to flow into the chamber.
Narrowed valves: They may be due to
Congenital abnormality-means a person borns with an abnormal valve
Degeneration through atherosclerosis(aortic stenosis only)
Damage from Rheumatic fever
Excessive calcification in old age (aortic stenosis only)
Leaking valves: These may be due to
Bacterial infection or inflammation of a valve
Excessive floppiness of the leaflets(mitral valve prolapse)
Enlargement of the heart or aorta-the main blood vessel into which the left ventricle pumps.
Symptoms of Heart Valve Failure
The symptoms of valve disease depend on which valve is affected and how severely.
If there is only mild damage you may not have any symptoms
Shortness of breath and/or difficulty catching your breath you may notice this most when you are active doing your normal daily activities or when you lie down flat in bed.
Tiredness
Palpitations(irregular, fluttery heart beats or on awareness of your heart beating)
Angina (Chest pain) because the valve narrowing means that the blood vessels supplying your heart muscles are not getting enough blood.
Swollen ankles, feet or abdomen
Dizziness or fainting-you may feel too weak to carry out your normal daily activities.
Rapid weight gain, a weight gain of 2 to 3 pounds in one is possible
Diagnosis of Heart Valve Disease
Your doctor can tell if you have valve disease by talking to you about your symptoms performing a physical exam and giving you other tests. After the physical exam the doctor may order diagnostic tests.
These may include : -
Echocardiography-An echocardiography is a test that shows the hearts movement.
Transesophegeal Echocardiography: This test requires that the transducer be inserted down the throat into the esophagus(the swallowing tube that connects the mouth to the stomach) because the esophagus is located close to the heart clear images of the heart structures can be obtained without the interference of the lungs and chest.
Cardiac Catherization (Angiogram) during this test a long narrow tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in your arm or leg guided to your heart with the aid to a special x-ray machine. Contrast dye is injected through the catheter so that x-ray movies of your valves coronary arteries and heart chambers can be created
Radionuclide scans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI)
Chest X-Ray
ECG which records the electrical changes happening in your heart.
Treatment of Heart Valve Disease
Medicinal : -
Diuretics-Remove extra fluid from the tissues and blood stream, lesson the symptoms of heart failure
Antirrythmic medicines-control the hearts rhythm
ACE Inhibitors -which help the heart, work more effectively by relaxing blood vessels and so improving blood flow.
Digoxin-which stabilizes the heart rhythm and helps the heart pump harder
Beta Blockers treat high blood pressure and lesson the hearts work by helping the heart beat slower and less forcefully. Used to decrease palpitation in some patients.
Surgery For Heart Valve Disease
If your valve has narrowed (stenosis) your doctor may recommend balloon valve surgery called balloon valvoplasty. Reshaping of the valve ring by removing excess valve tissue Adding support to the valve ring by adding tissue or a collar like structure around the base of the valve.
Attaching the valve to nearby heart cordlike tissues (chordal transposition) for a valve repair the procedure performed will depend on the type of valve problems that exist.eg: separation of fused valve leaflets, repair of torn leaflets and/or reshaping of the parts to ensure better function.
The list of of world class heart hospitals in India is as follows : -
For more information, medical assessment and medical quote
send your detailed medical history and medical reports
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Email : - info@wecareindia.com
Call: +91 9029304141 (10 am. To 8 pm. IST)
(Only for international patients seeking treatment in India)
For a detailed evaluation send patient’s medical reports / X rays / doctors notes to info@wecareindia.com
Patient Storys
Successful heart surgery at We Care India partner hospital allows Robert Clarke to live a normal life despite a rare genetic disorder We Care india helped Robert find best super specialised surgeon for his rare conditions.
