Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of the valves are damaged. Heart valve disease can develop before birth (congenital) or can be acquired sometime during one's lifetime.
Causes of Heart Valve Disease:
- Mitral valve prolapse is when the left ventricle contracts, one or both flaps of the mitral valve flop or bulge back (prolapse) into the left atrium. If the flaps bulge back far enough, this can prevent the valve from forming a tight seal. As a result, blood may flow backward from the ventricle into the atrium. This backflow of blood is called mitral valve regurgitation. Find out more about mitral valve prolapse.
- Degenerative valve disease is a common cause of heart valve disease. Degenerative valve disease, most commonly affecting the mitral valve, is a slow progressive process that over time will cause leakage through the valve. Degenerative valve disease usually begins with mitral valve prolapse (improper leaflet movement), a condition that affects 1-2 percent of the general population, which, over time may cause the attachments of the valve to thin out or rupture and the leaflets to become floppy. This leads to leakage through the valve.
- Ischemic heart disease, generally caused by buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries, affects coronary blood flow and restricts blood flow to the heart muscle. Buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries, also known as atherosclerosis or coronary artery disease, cause blockages that may lead to a heart attack and subsequent damage to the heart valves.
- Congenital abnormalities, present at birth, such as a malformed valve or even an absent valve, can cause abnormal blood flow through the cardiovascular system. Depending on the type of heart defect, blood flow can be partially or completely blocked or even in the wrong direction. Congenital abnormalities require different types of treatment depending on the severity of the defect. Mild defects may not require any treatment or only require medication whereas more severe heart abnormalities may require surgical correction.
- Calcification due to aging is the process that refers to the accumulation of calcium on the heart's valves, most commonly affecting the aortic valve. Calcification comes with age as the calcium builds up in the heart over the course of a lifetime causing hardening and thickening of the valve. Calcium build-up can cause aortic stenosis, or narrowing of the aortic valve, and as a result the valve cannot open completely. This stenosis limits the valve function and can hinder blood flow through the valve forcing the heart to work harder.
- Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease which may develop as a rare complication after an untreated or an undertreated Group A streptococcal infection (such as strep throat or scarlet fever). Permanent heart damage resulting from rheumatic fever is called rheumatic heart disease. Rheumatic fever commonly damages the heart valves (rheumatic carditis) and can interfere with normal blood flow through the heart. Acute rheumatic fever is most common in children ages 5 - 15, although it can develop in adults. Rheumatic fever isn't as common in the United States today as it was at the start of the 20th century, before the widespread use of the antibiotics; however outbreaks do occur periodically. Rheumatic fever is still common in developing countries.
- Bacterial endocarditis is a bacterial infection that can affect the valves of the heart causing deformity and damage to the leaflets of the valve(s). Endocarditis typically occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of the body, such as the mouth, spread through the bloodstream and attach to damaged areas in the heart. Left untreated, endocarditis can damage or destroy heart valves. Endocarditis can be life-threatening; however it is relatively uncommon in people with healthy hearts. People at greatest risk of endocarditis have a damaged heart valve, an artificial heart valve or other heart defects.
Effects of Heart Valve Disease:
- Regurgitation, also called valvular insufficiency, occurs when a valve does not close tightly causing blood to flow back into the valve as the leaflets close or leaks through the leaflets after they are closed. This condition causes the heart to work harder to pump the same amount of blood.
- Mitral valve regurgitation occurs when the valve leaflets prolapse or lack coaptation (complete closure), resulting in a phenomenon called valvular insufficiency. These anatomical failures can occur for many reasons, but one primary cause stems from ischemic heart disease, resulting in myocardial infarction (heart attack), which damages the papillary muscles of the left ventricle and dilates the mitral valve annulus.
- Tricuspid valve regurgitation occurs when the heart's tricuspid valve does not close properly, causing blood to flow backward (leak) into the right upper heart chamber (atrium) when the right lower heart chamber (ventricle) contracts. The most common cause of tricuspid regurgitation is swelling of the right ventricle. Such swelling may be a complication of any disorder that causes failure of the right ventricle.
- Stenosis is the narrowing of a valve opening that causes lower blood flow through the valve. All four valves can be stenotic. Valvular stenosis occurs when a valve opening is smaller than normal due to stiff or fused leaflets. This in turn increases the risk of blood clots and causes the heart to work harder. Valvular stenosis can lead to congestive heart failure (CHF).
Symptoms of Heart Valve Disease:
Though many people may experience no symptoms in the early stages of heart valve disease, most patients experience symptoms like shortness of breath, weakness or dizziness, chest discomfort, palpitations, edema (swelling of the ankles, feet or abdomen), and rapid weight gain.
Diagnosis of Heart Valve Disease:
Heart valve disease can be diagnosed in several ways:- Physical examination
- Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG)
- Echocardiography
- Chest x-ray
- Cardiac catheterization (angiogram)
- Radionuclide scans (nuclear scans)
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Note: This information is not a substitute for talking with your doctor.
