Heart Valve Disease – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Heart valve disease happens when one or more of the four heart valves doesn’t work properly. These valves keep blood flowing through the heart in the right direction.
Problems occur when a valve doesn’t open or close completely, which changes how blood flows through the heart and to the rest of the body.
Treatment options vary based on:
- Which valve is affected
- Type of disease
- Severity of the condition
For some patients, doctors may recommend surgery to repair or replace the damaged valve. The right treatment approach depends on each person’s specific condition and overall health.
Signs and Symptoms
Heart valve disease may not cause symptoms for years in some people. When symptoms do appear, they may include:
- Breathing problems when resting, being active, or lying down
- Feeling tired
- Pain in the chest
- Feeling dizzy
- Swollen ankles and feet
- Passing out
- Uneven heartbeat
When Medical Help Is Needed
If you notice any possible signs of heart valve problems, schedule a checkup with your doctor. Your doctor might send you to a heart specialist (cardiologist) for further testing and treatment.
Causes
Heart valve disease can occur for several reasons. Understanding how heart valves work helps explain what goes wrong when disease develops.
The heart has four valves: aortic, mitral, pulmonary, and tricuspid. These valves have flaps that open and close during each heartbeat to control blood flow. When working properly, they ensure blood moves in the correct direction through the heart.
Heart valve disease appears in several forms:
- Stenosis: Valve flaps become stiff and thick, narrowing the opening and restricting blood flow.
- Regurgitation: Flaps don’t close completely, allowing blood to leak backward.
- Prolapse: Flaps stretch out and become floppy, bulging backward like a parachute.
- Atresia: The valve never forms properly, and solid tissue blocks blood flow between heart chambers.
People can either be born with heart valve problems or develop them later in life. Congenital heart valve disease occurs when problems exist at birth.
In adults, several factors can lead to valve disease:
| Common Causes in Adults | Description |
|---|---|
| Infections | Conditions like endocarditis can damage heart valves |
| Age-related changes | Natural wear and tear as people grow older |
| Other heart conditions | Existing heart problems that affect valve function |
When valve problems occur, less blood moves from the heart to the rest of the body, which can lead to various symptoms and complications.
Risk Factors
Several factors can raise your chances of developing heart valve disease:
- Age: Older individuals face higher risks.
- Infections: Conditions like rheumatic fever or blood infections.
- Heart conditions: Previous heart attacks or certain heart diseases.
- Other health issues: High blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and diabetes all increase risk.
These factors may work alone or together to affect heart valve function.
Possible Complications
Heart valve disease can lead to several serious health problems if left untreated. These complications can affect quality of life and may become life-threatening in some cases.
Heart Failure
When heart valves don’t work properly, your heart must work harder to pump blood. Over time, this extra strain can weaken the heart muscle, leading to heart failure.
In this condition, the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs.
Blood Clots
Damaged or artificial heart valves create conditions where blood may pool. This increases the risk of blood clots forming. These clots can block blood flow to important organs.
Stroke Risk
Blood clots that form due to heart valve problems can travel to the brain, causing a stroke. This is particularly common with certain types of valve disease, especially when the heart’s rhythm is also affected.
Heart Rhythm Problems
Valve disease often leads to changes in heart size and structure. These changes can disrupt the heart’s electrical system, causing irregular heartbeats known as arrhythmias. Atrial fibrillation is one common rhythm problem associated with valve disease.
Infection Risk
Some valve conditions increase the risk of developing endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s inner lining. This is especially true for people with artificial valves or previous valve damage.
Sudden Cardiac Events
In severe cases, valve disease can lead to sudden cardiac episodes that may be fatal without immediate treatment.
Pregnancy Complications
Women with heart valve disease face additional risks during pregnancy. The increased blood volume and cardiac output during pregnancy put extra stress on already damaged valves.
Quality of Life Impact
Even before major complications develop, valve disease can cause symptoms that limit daily activities:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Reduced exercise tolerance
- Swelling in legs and feet
Treatment Complications
Procedures to repair or replace heart valves carry their own risks:
| Procedure Type | Potential Complications |
|---|---|
| Surgical repair/replacement | Bleeding, infection, stroke, heart attack |
| Transcatheter procedures | Vascular damage, valve leakage, valve displacement |
| Medication management | Side effects from blood thinners and other drugs |
Regular monitoring is essential as valve disease progresses. Early detection and proper management of these complications can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life.
