Heart Valve Disease: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Medications, and Risk Factors
Heart valve disease is a condition that affects the functioning of one or more of the valves in your heart. This impairs the normal flow of blood within the heart.
What is Heart Valve Disease?
Heart valve disease refers to any condition that affects one or more of the heart’s four valves:
o the mitral valve
o tricuspid valve
o aortic valve
o pulmonary valve
These valves play a crucial role in ensuring that blood flows in the correct direction through the heart chambers.
Heart valve diseases can result from two sorts of issues:
o Regurgitation (or valve leaking)- When the valve(s) do not fully close. Blood flows backward through the valve. This lowers forward blood flow and can result in heart volume overload.
o Stenosis (or valve narrowing)- When the opening of the valve(s) narrows. Blood flows out of the ventricles or atria is restricted. The heart is compelled to pump blood with greater force to transport blood through the constricted or stiff (stenotic) valve(s).
What Causes Heart Valve Disease?
The causes of this condition vary based on the type of disease present. These are:
- Congenital Heart Defects: Some individuals are born with heart valve abnormalities. This can lead to heart valve disease later in life.
- Age-Related Degeneration: As people age, heart valves may undergo wear and tear. This causes the valve to become stiffer or thicker.
- Infective Endocarditis: This is an infection of the heart valves or the inner lining of the heart, leading to valve damage.
- Rheumatic Fever: Untreated strep throat infections can cause rheumatic fever, which can damage heart valves.
What are the Symptoms of Heart Valve Disease?
Mild to moderate heart valve disease may not exhibit any symptoms. The following represent the most common symptoms of heart valve disease:
- Shortness of Breath
- Fatigue
- Chest Pain
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Abdominal pain due to enlarged liver
- Dizziness or Fainting
Medications for Heart Valve Disease
- Blood Thinners: Anticoagulant medications, such as warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants, are often prescribed to prevent blood clots from forming on the damaged heart valves.
- Diuretics: Diuretics help reduce fluid buildup in the body. It also eases symptoms like shortness of breath and swelling.
- Blood Pressure Medications: Controlling blood pressure is essential to reduce the strain on the heart and manage heart valve disease.
- Beta-Blockers: These medications slow down the heart rate and reduce its workload, helping the heart function more efficiently.
Who is at Risk of Developing Heart Valve Disease?
You may develop heart valve disease as you age, as a result of a medication you take, or as a result of a treatment you have. The following are risk factors:
- Age: The risk of heart valve disease increases with age, as wear and tear on the valves may occur over time.
- History of Heart Conditions: Individuals with a history of heart conditions are at higher risk. This includes:
- rheumatic fever
- infective endocarditis
- Congenital Heart Defects: Those born with heart valve abnormalities are at an increased risk of developing heart valve disease.
- Other Heart Conditions: Certain heart conditions can lead to heart valve disease as well such as coronary heart disease.
- History of Intravenous Drug Use: Injecting illicit drugs intravenously can increase the risk of infective endocarditis, which can damage heart valves.
Heart valve disease is a complex condition that affects the proper functioning of the heart’s valves. Understanding its types, causes, symptoms, available medications, and risk factors is vital for early detection and proactive management.
By raising awareness and understanding this condition, you can take steps to safeguard their heart health and lead fulfilling lives.