Introduction to Heart Health - Valve Disease

Valve disease will develop in the valves do not work as they should. If valves can not open completely (stenosis), less blood can pass through the lower opening of the heart work harder. If the valve does not close tightly (regurgitation or insufficiency), blood can leak back eventually.

Valve disease can have several causes. You may be born with a valve disorder, infection can damage the heart, a heart attack can damage the valves, or simply getting older, you can destroy your valves.

Valve stenosis and insufficient

Stenosis may be the result of calcium deposits harden or stiffen the valve or scarring may occur. Less blood gets through the valve and into the next chamber. Insufficient valves, on the other hand, may have the support structures that are loose or torn, or the valve itself may have stretched or thinned. May the blood leak back into the wrong direction through the valve.

When the heart is tired and can not handle the increased work, the development of symptoms. Medications are available in the heart, to help meet this increased workload. When they are not effective valve must be repaired or replaced in order to prevent severe and permanent injury to the heart muscle.

Repair or replacement?

Repair means that the valve can be left in place and be helped better. Replacement requires its own malfunctioning valve to be removed so the new can take its place.

Several types of mechanical or tissue valves are now available. The valve is best suited to a particular problem is chosen by the doctors and discuss with you. One or more of heart can be repaired or replaced at the same surgery.

Sometimes the decision to repair or replacement can not be started until the surgery. When the valve is possible to repair stenosed, or hard and stiffened valve parts may be cut and separated to help them open wider. Parts of valves can not be strengthened, and even slightly reduced in order to assist in closing the valve more closely.

Man-made and natural prosthetics

When valve repair is not possible, it can be replaced with a valve prosthesis. There are two types of prosthetic valves available. A mechanical valve is created from man made materials and requires life-drug therapy with anticoagulant (blood thinner) to prevent blood on or around the valve. A biological or (tissue) valve from the donor is a human or animal. The tissue valve does not last as long as the mechanical valve, anticoagulation but often it is not necessary.

The doctor, of course, you can discuss your best with you. Many factors must be considered, such as age, occupation, your heart rhythm, valve size, and how it works, the ability to take anticoagulants, and, of course, as many of the new valves you need.
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