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
Introduction
The heart is a complex organ that pumps blood throughout the body. It has four chambers and four valves that ensure unidirectional blood flow. These valves open and close with each heartbeat to prevent backflow and maintain efficient circulation.
The Four Heart Valves
- Tricuspid Valve: Between the right atrium and right ventricle, this valve prevents blood from flowing backward when the ventricle contracts.
- Pulmonary Valve: Located between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery, this valve ensures blood flows toward the lungs for oxygenation.
- Mitral Valve: Found between the left atrium and left ventricle, it prevents backflow into the left atrium when the left ventricle contracts.
- Aortic Valve: Positioned between the left ventricle and the aorta, this valve allows oxygen-rich blood to be pumped into the body while preventing backflow into the heart.
Common Valve Disorders
- Stenosis (narrowing of a valve, reducing blood flow)
- Regurgitation (incompetent closure leading to blood leakage)
- Prolapse (valve leaflets bulge, affecting function)
Importance of Healthy Valves
Heart valve disorders can cause symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, and dizziness. Timely diagnosis and proper management are key to maintaining heart health.
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Diagnosis: Echocardiogram, ECG, MRI, or cardiac catheterization.
- Treatment: Lifestyle changes, medications, or valve repair/replacement via surgery or transcatheter methods.
Conclusion
Understanding how the four heart valves function is essential to appreciating cardiovascular health. Regular check-ups help detect and manage potential valve issues early.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines on Valvular Heart Disease
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000923
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000932
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33332149/
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-valve-problems-and-disease
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for the Management of 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://eurointervention.pcronline.com/article/2021-esc-eacts-guidelines-for-the-management-of-valvular-heart-disease
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000923
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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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Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
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We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
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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.