About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
The Four Valves of the Heart: Structure and Function
Introduction
The human heart has four valves that play a crucial role in directing blood flow and ensuring that it moves in only one direction. These valves open and close in response to pressure changes within the heart, preventing backflow and maintaining efficient circulation.
The Four Valves and Their Functions
1. Tricuspid Valve
- Located between the right atrium and right ventricle.
- Prevents backflow of blood from the right ventricle to the right atrium.
- Has three cusps (leaflets) that ensure unidirectional flow.
2. Pulmonary Valve
- Situated between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery.
- Prevents the backflow of blood into the right ventricle after it is pumped to the lungs.
- Opens when the right ventricle contracts, allowing deoxygenated blood to enter the pulmonary circulation.
3. Mitral Valve (Bicuspid Valve)
- Found between the left atrium and left ventricle.
- Ensures that oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium does not flow back from the left ventricle.
- Has two cusps, unlike the tricuspid valve.
4. Aortic Valve
- Located between the left ventricle and aorta.
- Prevents backflow of oxygenated blood into the left ventricle after it is pumped into the aorta.
- Opens when the left ventricle contracts, allowing blood to reach the rest of the body.
Common Diseases Affecting Heart Valves
- Valve Stenosis: Narrowing of the valve, affecting blood flow.
- Valve Regurgitation: Leakage leading to the backflow of blood.
- Valve Prolapse: Improper closure of valve leaflets (common in mitral valve).
Conclusion
Understanding the role of heart valves is key to recognizing heart diseases and ensuring cardiovascular health. Regular check-ups and echocardiography help detect valve disorders early.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines on Valvular Heart Disease
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000923
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33332149/
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-valve-problems-and-disease
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000932
- https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/2020-acc-aha-guideline-for-the-management-of-patients-with-valvular-heart-disease
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Valvular Heart Disease
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Valvular-Heart-Disease-Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/43/7/561/6358470
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34453165/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000923
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17259184/
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.