About-Cardio
-
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.
Heart Valves: Structure, Function, and Common Diseases
Introduction
Heart valves are essential structures in the cardiovascular system, ensuring that blood flows in the correct direction through the heart chambers. There are four heart valves: - Aortic Valve: Controls blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta. - Mitral Valve: Regulates blood flow between the left atrium and left ventricle. - Tricuspid Valve: Controls flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle. - Pulmonary Valve: Directs blood from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery.
Common Valve Disorders
1. Stenosis
- Occurs when the valve does not open fully, restricting blood flow.
- Common causes: Rheumatic heart disease, congenital defects, and calcification.
- Symptoms: Shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, dizziness.
2. Regurgitation (Insufficiency)
- Occurs when the valve does not close properly, allowing backflow of blood.
- Causes: Valve prolapse, infections (endocarditis), or damage from a heart attack.
- Symptoms: Fatigue, palpitations, swelling in the legs, shortness of breath.
3. Prolapse
- Seen most commonly in the mitral valve (mitral valve prolapse, MVP).
- Causes: Genetic conditions, connective tissue disorders.
- Symptoms: Often asymptomatic, but can include palpitations, chest pain, and dizziness.
Diagnosis
- Echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart) is the gold standard.
- Additional tests: Electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiac MRI, cardiac catheterization.
Treatment Options
- Medications: Beta-blockers, diuretics, anticoagulants to manage symptoms.
- Interventions:
- Valve repair (e.g., mitral valve clip for regurgitation).
- Valve replacement (mechanical or biological prostheses).
- Balloon valvuloplasty (for some stenotic valves).
Conclusion
Valve diseases can significantly impact heart function but are manageable with proper diagnosis and treatment. Lifestyle modifications, medical therapy, and surgical options help restore normal heart function and improve quality of life.
Source recommendations
1. 2021 ESC/EACTS Guidelines for the Management of Valvular Heart Disease
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/43/7/561/6358470
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34453165/
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Valvular-Heart-Disease-Guidelines
- https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2023.05.061
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109723059739
2. 2020 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000923
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33332149/
- https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2020/12/16/21/58/2020-ACC-AHA-VHD-GL-Pt-1-GL-VHD
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S073510972037902X
- https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/2020-acc-aha-guideline-for-the-management-of-patients-with-valvular-heart-disease
-
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!
Our advantages:
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.
Always up-to-date information
On a daily basis, we monitor for you all new scientific research publications in leading scientific journals on medical issues of interest to you.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
Get second opinion
Here you can learn everything that even your doctor may not know about cardiology (if he does not speak English and he does not read 117 leading medical journals on cardiology every month).
The most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of free cardiology materials
Our website contains the most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of free cardiology materials in your country.
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.
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.