The human heart contains four valves that open and close with each beat to allow blood to flow in and out of the heart's chambers in the correct direction. Valvular heart disease occurs when your heart valves no longer work properly, allowing blood to flow backwards or preventing blood from flowing forward. According to the American Heart Association, about five million Americans are diagnosed with valvular heart disease each year.
Two of the most common types of valve disease requiring treatment are:
- Valvular stenosis, which occurs when a valve opening is smaller than normal and forces the heart to work harder to pump blood through it;
- Valvular insufficiency, also called a "leaky valve," which occurs when a valve does not close tightly and allows blood to flow backwards, thus increasing the workload on the heart
What Causes Valvular Heart Disease?
Valve disease can be congenital, and congenital valve disease most often affects the aortic or pulmonic valve. The disease can also develop after birth and during adulthood. In some instances, the cause of valve disease is unknown, but some of the known causes include: coronary artery disease, heart attack, cardiomyopathy, rheumatic fever, syphilis, hypertension, aortic aneurysms, connective tissue diseases and endocarditis (a bacterial infection that enters the blood and attacks the heart valves).
What Are the Symptoms of Valve Disease?
Symptoms include: shortness of breath, particularly during physical activity; weakness or dizziness; chest discomfort, such as a feeling of pressure or weight in your chest; heart palpitations; rapid weight gain; swelling of your ankles and feet (i.e., fluid build-up) and black-outs.
How is Heart Valve Disease Treated?
Saint John's physicians employ the latest tools and techniques for the diagnosis and repair of diseased valves, including physical exams, catheterization and surgery. Our cardiovascular surgeons repair or replace faulty heart valves always using the latest heart valves and surgical methods, including state-of-the-art ultrasound techniques to assess heart and valve function during surgery. We also lead in research study on heart valves. Learn more about Treatment Options at Saint John's Heart Institute.
Non-surgical interventions include percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty, in which a balloon is inserted to stretch open a diseased valve that has been narrowed or constricted.