Recognizing the symptoms of heart valve disease: Causes, types and treatment paths

Heart valve diseases can be caused by several factors such as aging, congenital defects and infections, therefore, it is important to understand the causes and symptoms of heart valve diseases for early detection and prompt medical intervention. The heart valve consists of four valves which are the aortic valve, mitral valve, pulmonary valve and tricuspid valve where these four heart valves ensure that the oxygenated blood flows in one direction and also prevent the blood from flowing backwards.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Bipinchandra Bhamare, consultant cardiac surgeon at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai, explained, “Heart valve disease occurs when the structure of the heart valves becomes severely damaged, leading to a number of health problems. This can affect the valves, making them too loose or too narrow, significantly hindering the heart from pumping blood effectively. Stenosis and regurgitation are the two main types of heart valve diseases.”

Types of heart valve diseases

• Stenosis: Aortic valve stenosis is also known as narrowing of the heart valve. In this, the opening of the valve becomes narrowed or damaged altogether and does not open fully resulting in delayed functioning. This further reduces the flow of blood from the heart to the aorta and the rest of the body. Stenosis can obstruct blood flow, leading to various health problems, heart damage, and even reduced life expectancy in some cases. Individuals can experience a number of symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, especially after mild exercise, irregular heartbeat, and fainting.
• Heart valve regurgitation: This is a type of heart valve disease in which the valves start leaking due to the valve seals getting damaged. In this condition, the mitral valve or the aortic valve located on the left side of the heart does not close properly. This is why the heart may struggle and try to pump blood more forcefully in the forward direction, resulting in reduced heart efficiency and heart failure. Over time this can lead to experiencing symptoms like fatigue, coughing, rapid breathing and trouble breathing while sleeping which can lead to sleeplessness.

Causes of heart valve disease

• Birth defects: Some people are born with heart valve abnormalities also known as congenital valve disease. These defects can cause the valve to be the wrong size or have leaflets that are not connected properly. Congenital valve disease occurs when one or more heart valves do not develop properly, causing the heart valves to not close properly. This can put excessive pressure on the heart, making it work harder. This can lead to various serious health conditions such as heart failure, dilated cardiomyopathy and aortic aneurysm.
• Ageing: With increasing age, the valves start to thicken and harden, restricting blood flow. Calcium deposits can cause fluid to collect on the valves, making them less flexible. This can significantly increase the chances of health conditions like aortic stenosis.
• Infection: Endocarditis is a type of infection of the inner lining of the heart, including the heart valves. Various bacteria or fungi can attack the valves causing serious damage and complications. As a result, the damaged valves may not function properly, leading to stenosis or regurgitation.

Dr. Bipinchandra Bhamare said, “Timely detection and management is important to improve the patient’s quality of life. New medications can help reduce symptoms and make life normal. Technological advancement in artificial heart valve prosthesis has made surgery very low risk. Your doctor will determine the appropriate method of treatment for you. Do not ignore the symptoms and further investigations like 2Decocardiography will detect or rule out heart valve disease.”

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor for any questions about any medical condition.