Heart valves are structures that act like gates, opening and closing to control how blood flows within the heart and into the main arteries. They ensure that blood moves in the right direction and prevent it from flowing backward.
Each heartbeat occurs through the coordinated contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle, synchronized with the opening and closing of the valves. This process allows the heart to fill and empty efficiently.
The heart has four main valves that can be affected by various conditions, which can alter normal blood flow. The most common problems include stenosis, which restricts valve opening, and valve insufficiency, which allows blood to leak backward.
Types of heart valves
The four heart valves are:
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Mitral valve: Located between the left atrium and the left ventricle.
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Aortic valve: Found between the left ventricle and the aorta.
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Tricuspid valve: Located between the right atrium and the right ventricle.
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Pulmonary valve: Found between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery.
These valves work together to maintain one-way blood flow, ensuring that blood circulates properly throughout the body and does not flow back into the heart chambers.
Function and how they work
The main function of the heart valves is to keep blood flowing in one direction and prevent it from moving backward. This mechanism is essential for maintaining efficient blood circulation and proper heart function.
Heart valves work like doors that open and close to control blood flow. When the heart contracts, the tricuspid valve closes to stop blood from moving back, while the pulmonary valve opens to let blood travel to the lungs to receive oxygen.
Once the blood is oxygenated, it returns to the heart and passes through the mitral valve into the main pumping chamber. When the heart contracts again, the aortic valve opens, allowing blood to flow to the rest of the body. This process repeats with every heartbeat, ensuring continuous and efficient blood circulation.
Under normal conditions, heart valves open and close about 60 times per minute.
What is valvular disease
Valvular disease refers to any condition that affects the heart valves, causing them to lose their ability to open or close properly. As a result, blood flow becomes impaired.
This condition can affect any of the four heart valves. Depending on which valve is affected and how severe the problem is, a doctor will determine the most appropriate treatment for each person.
A common sign of valvular disease is decreased tolerance to physical activity. People often experience extreme fatigue, palpitations, swelling in the legs, shortness of breath, and chest pain. These symptoms usually lead to medical evaluation and diagnostic testing.
Treatment for heart valve disease
Treatment for valvular disease may include both medical and surgical approaches. Medications such as diuretics, beta-blockers, and anticoagulants are often used to manage symptoms and prevent complications.
In more severe cases, the damaged valve may need to be repaired or replaced through surgery. It is also important to follow a low-sodium diet and avoid strenuous physical activity. Following medical guidance is key to maintaining a good quality of life.
Most common heart valve diseases
Some of the most commonly diagnosed heart valve disease include:
1. Aortic stenosis
Aortic stenosis mainly affects people over 65 years old and occurs when the aortic valve becomes narrowed, reducing the amount of blood that flows from the left ventricle. This makes the heart work harder to pump blood.
Many people with aortic stenosis do not experience symptoms until blood flow is significantly reduced.
How to treat: Treatment depends on the stage of the disease. In mild cases, doctors may recommend healthy lifestyle changes and medications. In more advanced stages, surgery may be required.
2. Aortic insufficiency
Aortic insufficiency primarily affects men and happens when some of the blood that should leave the heart leaks back into the left ventricle. This causes the ventricle to receive blood from both the left atrium and the aorta, leading to overfilling.
As a result, the heart enlarges and its walls thicken to handle the extra workload, a condition known as cardiomegaly.
How to treat: Treatment depends mainly on whether symptoms are present and how severe the disease is. If there are no symptoms, regular medical checkups are usually recommended. When symptoms occur, medication may be prescribed. In severe cases, valve repair or replacement surgery is often needed.
3. Mitral stenosis
Mitral stenosis occurs when the mitral valve becomes narrowed, making it harder for blood to pass from the upper left chamber to the lower left chamber, which increases pressure in the left atrium.
Rheumatic fever is the most common cause of this condition, although it can also result from congenital defects or aging.
How to treat: In mild or moderate cases, treatment usually involves regular monitoring to track disease progression. In severe cases, treatment may include medication or surgical procedures such as valve repair, valve replacement, or open-heart surgery.
4. Mitral insufficiency
Mitral insufficiency occurs when blood flows backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium, moving in the opposite direction of normal circulation.
How to treat: Treatment may include lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery, depending on the stage of the disease and the doctor’s recommendations.