Heart Valve Problems- How Can You Tell?

When assessing whether or not you have heart valve problems, it is important for you to understand what exactly a heart valve is, and what it’s job or function is as well.  Basically they are valves that regulate blood flow throughout the chambers of the heart.

There are the atria, which are two small rounded upper chambers, and there are ventricles, which are the two larger lower chambers resembling a cone.  Within each ventricle is a one way in and and one way out valve, with flaps that open and close similar to a swinging door.

Heart valve problems happen when valves regurgitate, or “leak”, or when they don’t open the way that they should and then end up partially blocking the blood flow.  Sometimes a sufferer may experience both issues, and either way they seriously interfere with the hearts ability to pump properly.

Heart valve problems can often be detected with either a stethoscope, or with echocardiography.  Generally, valves that aren’t working properly will create abnormal heart sounds and/ or murmurs that a doctor can actually hear.  Other times the echo cardiogram will detect things like minor regurgitation, or “leaks”, and many doctors view this as normal.

Heart valve problems can be fixed or repaired.  Surgery may be needed, although with valves that aren’t opening properly, a simple heart catheter may do the trick.  The valve can be at times stretched by utilizing a method called balloon valvuloplasty.

Basically, a catheter with a balloon on the end is threaded through a vein into the heart, and then inflated to separate the valve cusps, or flaps.  No general anesthetic is required and recovery is quick.

However, sometimes with heart valve problems, valves need to be replaced with mechanical valves.  In this instance, it is important to be very careful.  Patients have to take anticoagulant drugs for the rest of their lives to avoid blood clotting within the mechanical valve, and infections are very possible.  Plus mechanical valves tend to require replacements after 10- 12 years.

So as you can see heart valve problems can be very stressful at times, but they can be repaired and with a bit of due diligence managed effectively.  This will allow you to lead the long and healthy life that was meant for you!

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