When heart valves do not work properly the way they should, the condition is called heart valve disease. Left untreated, heart valve disease can reduce the quality of life and become life-threatening.
Heart has four valves that keep blood flowing in correct direction. In some cases, one or more valves do not open or close properly causing the blood flow through heart to be interrupted.
This occurs when a heart valve doesn't fully open due to stiff or fused leaflets. The narrowed opening may make the heart work very hard to pump blood through it.
If the valves do not seal, some blood will leak backwards across the valve. As the leak worsens, the heart has to work harder to make up for the leaky valve.
Your heart valve conditions treatment depends on the disease type, heart valve affected and the types of severity of the valve disease. Based on the conditions, your heart valve cardiac surgeon suggests treatment from repair to replace heart valve.
Your cardiac surgeon will evaluate your signs and symptoms and may conduct a physical examination. Doctor will listen to your heart murmur as this can be a sign of a heart valve condition. There are several tests to diagnose this condition further. Tests may include:
Heart valves disease treatment depends on how severe your condition is. The consulting doctor may monitor your conditions with regular follow-up appointments. You may also be recommended to make a healthy lifestyle choices and take medications regularly.
You may eventually need a heart valve surgery to repair or replace the diseased heart valve. Your cardiac surgeon may even suggest heart valve surgery even if you are not experiencing any symptoms to prevent complications and improve outcomes.
Heart valve surgery is usually performed through a cut (incision) in the chest. Doctors may sometimes conduct minimally invasive heart surgery, which involves the use of smaller incisions than those used in open-heart surgery.