The heart plays a crucial role in sustaining your life by pumping blood to all parts of your body. Its health is therefore critical. Usually, the heart has four chambers with four valves that enhance the smooth flow of blood in and out of the heart. Damage to the valves interferes with the blood flow, causing a valvular disease. The valvular heart Disease Plano specialists offer comprehensive care to prevent complications and enhance healing. Here, discover more details about the disease and how you can lower your risk.
What is valvular heart disease?
It’s a condition that happens due to one or more heart valves malfunctioning. The valves ensure the blood flows in and from the heart in the right direction.
When any valves do not function as they ought to, they affect circulation. Valvular heart disease is likely to cause complications, including life-threatening issues.
What are the symptoms of the valvular disease?
The disease forms gradually, and it may take some time before you notice any symptoms. The following indicates some of the symptoms of valvular heart disease.
· Fatigue
· Fainting
· Chest pain
· Legs and ankles swelling
· Abdominal swelling
· Arrhythmias
· Dizziness
You are also likely to experience shortness of breath after lying down or during an exercise.
What are the different types of valvular heart disease?
Valvular heart disease occurs in various forms, including the following.
Stenosis
This type of valvular heart disease causes valve flaps to stiffen and thicken. After some time, stenosis leads to narrowing the heart valve, restricting blood flow through the valve. Stenosis also occurs in different types, including.
· Pulmonary stenosis
· Mitral stenosis
· Aortic stenosis
· Tricuspid stenosis
Regurgitation
It blocks your valve flaps from closing correctly, causing blood to flow backward into the heart. Regurgitation occurs in the following types.
· Tricuspid regurgitation
· Pulmonary regurgitation
· Mitral regurgitation
· Aortic regurgitation
Atresia
It results from the malformation of one or more heart valves. Atresia causes the valve to develop a hard tissue layer, preventing the blood flow from reaching the heart.
Diagnosis of valvular heart disease
Your provider begins your diagnosis with a comprehensive physical exam and checks your past health records. They also discuss your symptoms and lifestyle. Your provider also listens to the heart, where a murmur may signal a problem within the valve.
Further testing may be necessary to gather more information, including cardiac MRI, an electrocardiogram, or an echocardiogram. The tests show images of your heart, including the valves and the chambers, and also provide the heart’s electrical activity.
Treatment for valvular heart disease
Your treatment option for valvular disease depends on the extent of the condition and your health status.
Usually, your provider suggests lifestyle modifications, medications, and surgery if necessary to restore your health.
There are two types of surgery available as treatments for valvular heart disease, heart valve surgery and valve replacement surgery.
Valve replacement surgery involves using an artificial valve to repair the damaged heart valve.
Heart valve surgery corrects issues with one or more valves to restore their function.
Suppose you have signs of valvular heart disease; seeking immediate treatment may help prevent complications. Call Heart and Vascular Care today to schedule your treatment.
