Valvular Heart Disease
Heart valve problems can result from birth defects, aging, or other conditions. Birth defects can include bicuspid aortic valve, aortic valve stenosis, Ebstein’s anomaly, pulmonary valve stenosis. Damage to the valve may develop over a long period of time as a result of aging. The mitral valve is most often affected by degenerative changes. Aging causes calcification which can accumulate on the heart’s valves, most frequently the aortic valve, resulting in aortic stenosis. Cancer-related therapies such as radiation to the chest received during childhood increase the risk of valve disease in adulthood. Infections of the heart can damage the valves causing the valve to leak, not open or close properly. Significant valve disease reduces the heart’s function and changes the structure of the heart. These changes cause the myriad of symptoms associated with heart valve disease, which includes shortness of breath, fatigue, lightheadedness, weakness, palpitations.
Still have questions?
Symptoms of a valve problem can include chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling of the legs, or dizziness. Often a valve problem can be without any symptoms. If you suspect you may have a valve problem or have been diagnosed with a valve problem it is important to discuss these symptoms with your doctor.
Your health care provider may detect a heart murmur with a stethoscope during a physical exam. Your doctor may refer you to a cardiologist who will perform an echocardiogram to diagnose the valve problem. Sometimes additional testing is needed to diagnose a valve problem. Testing could include an exercise test, cardiac MRI, cardiac CT scan and sometimes cardiac catheterization.
Valve disease treatment options depend on the severity of the condition and associated symptoms. Mild valvular problems may never cause symptoms or need surgery and it can be managed with medications. If a heart valve problem affects the heart’s ability to function, the problem results in severe symptoms, then the valve will require surgical treatment, either valve replacement or valve repair.
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