Heart Valve Disease

Heart valve disease is a significant health concern that affects millions of people worldwide. The heart has four valves—the tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, and aortic valves—which play a crucial role in ensuring that blood flows in the correct direction through the heart. When one or more of these valves become damaged or diseased, it can disrupt normal blood flow and place additional strain on the heart, leading to various signs and symptoms of heart valve problems. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for heart valve disease is crucial for effective management and prevention of potential complications.

What is Heart Valve Disease?

Heart valve disease refers to any condition that affects the functioning of one or more of the heart's valves. Each valve has flaps that open and close to ensure blood flows in the right direction through the heart and to the rest of the body. When a valve becomes damaged or diseased, it may not open or close properly, leading to problems such as regurgitation (leakage), stenosis (narrowing), or atresia (blockage). These issues can put extra strain on the heart, leading to potential complications such as heart failure, sudden cardiac arrest, and death if not properly managed.

Heart valve disease can be categorised into several types based on the malfunction of the heart valves, including:

• Stenosis: This occurs when the valve opening becomes narrowed, limiting the flow of blood out of the ventricles or atria. The heart is forced to pump blood with increased force to move blood through the narrowed or stiff (stenotic) valve(s).

• Regurgitation (or leakage of the valve): This occurs when the valve(s) do not close completely, causing blood to flow backwards through the valve. This can lead to volume overload in the heart.

• Prolapse: This happens when the valve leaflets bulge back or flop into the atrium during the heart's contraction, often leading to regurgitation.

• Atresia: This is a condition where a heart valve does not form properly and lacks an opening for blood to pass through.

Early detection is crucial for managing heart valve disease effectively. Some early signs may include:

• A general decline in your activity level or ability to exercise

• Heart murmurs (whooshing or swishing sounds) heard through a stethoscope

• Changes in heart sounds detected by an electrocardiogram (ECG)

• Decreased performance during physical activities

• Chest discomfort during exertion or even at rest

The symptoms of heart valve disease can vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Some common symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath: Many individuals experience difficulty breathing during physical activity or even while at rest. This can occur due to the heart's inability to pump blood effectively, leading to fluid accumulation in the lungs.

• Fatigue: Chronic tiredness is a frequent complaint, often stemming from the heart working harder to maintain adequate blood flow. This fatigue may not improve with rest and can significantly impact daily activities.

• Chest pain: Individuals may have a feeling of pressure or tightness in the chest, which can be mistaken for angina or other heart conditions. This symptom may arise during exertion or periods of emotional stress.

• Palpitations: An irregular heartbeat or the sensation of a racing heart can occur, as the heart may struggle to maintain a steady rhythm due to valve dysfunction. This can be alarming and may lead to increased anxiety.

• Swelling: Fluid retention in the legs, ankles, or abdomen is common, as the heart's impaired function can cause blood to back up, leading to swelling in these areas.

• Dizziness: Some individuals may experience lightheadedness or fainting spells, particularly during physical activity. This can be a sign of inadequate blood flow to the brain due to compromised heart function.

• Heart murmur: A doctor may detect a heart murmur during a routine examination. This sound results from turbulent blood flow through a damaged or improperly functioning valve.

Heart valve disease can be classified into four stages based on the severity of the condition and its impact on the patient's life. These include:

• Stage A: In this stage, individuals are at risk for developing heart valve disease but do not show any significant symptoms or valve dysfunction.

• Stage B: Patients in this stage have mild to moderate valve disease, as detected by diagnostic tests such as echocardiograms, but do not experience noticeable symptoms.

• Stage C: This stage is characterised by severe valve disease that significantly affects heart function, although symptoms may be minimal or absent.

• Stage D: In the most advanced stage, patients have severe valve disease accompanied by significant symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain.

Heart valve disease can develop due to various factors, including:

• Congenital heart defects: Some people are born with heart valve abnormalities, such as bicuspid aortic valve or congenital aortic valve stenosis.

• Age-related changes: As we age, our heart valves may thicken and become less flexible, leading to stenosis or regurgitation.

• Rheumatic fever: This inflammatory disease, which may occur after an untreated strep throat infection, can cause scarring and damage to the heart valves, particularly the mitral valve.

• Infective endocarditis: This infection of the inner lining of the heart and valves can damage the valves, leading to regurgitation or stenosis.

• Coronary artery disease and heart attacks: These conditions can cause damage to the heart muscle and affect the function of the valves.

• Other conditions: Certain autoimmune disorders, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes, can increase the risk of developing heart valve disease.

Several factors can increase the risk of developing heart valve disease, including:

• Age

• Family history

• Congenital heart defects (such as a bicuspid aortic valve)

• Infections (such as rheumatic fever and endocarditis)

• Other health conditions (such as heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, and lupus)

• Lack of physical activity

• Smoking

• Obesity

• Medical devices (such as implanted pacemakers or defibrillators)

If left untreated, heart valve disease can lead to several serious complications, including:

• Heart failure: When the heart valves do not function properly, the heart may struggle to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. This can result in symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling in the legs and feet.

• Stroke: In some cases, blood clots can form due to the abnormal blood flow caused by a damaged heart valve. These clots can travel to the brain, causing a stroke.

• Arrhythmias: Heart valve problems can disrupt the heart's normal rhythm, leading to irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias).

• Pulmonary hypertension: In cases of mitral valve regurgitation or aortic valve stenosis, the increased pressure in the heart can cause high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension).

• Sudden cardiac arrest: In severe cases, untreated heart valve disease can lead to sudden cardiac arrest and death.

There are several steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing this condition, including:

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Engage in regular physical activity, eat a balanced diet, and maintain a healthy weight to reduce the risk of heart valve problems.

• Manage underlying health conditions: If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or other conditions that increase your risk of heart valve disease, work with your doctor to manage these conditions effectively.

• Practice good oral hygiene: Regular dental check-ups and maintaining good oral hygiene can help prevent infective endocarditis, which can damage the heart valves.

• Address strep throat promptly: If you suspect you have strep throat, seek medical attention and complete the prescribed course of antibiotics to prevent rheumatic fever, which can lead to heart valve damage.

• Quit smoking: Smoking can increase the risk of heart valve disease, so quitting smoking is an essential step in preventing valve problems.

• Follow-up care: If you have a history of heart valve disease or have undergone valve repair or replacement, attend regular check-ups with your cardiologist to monitor your heart health.

If your doctor suspects you have heart valve disease based on your symptoms and physical examination, they may recommend several tests to confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity of the condition. These include:

• Echocardiogram: This non-invasive test uses sound waves to create detailed images of your heart, allowing your doctor to evaluate the structure and function of your heart valves.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): An ECG records the electrical activity of your heart, which can help detect abnormal heart rhythms and other signs of heart valve disease.

• Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray can show if your heart is enlarged or if there is fluid buildup in your lungs, which can be signs of heart valve problems.

• Cardiac catheterisation: In this procedure, a thin, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel in your arm or leg and guided to your heart. Dye is injected through the catheter to make your heart valves more visible on X-ray images.

• Cardiac MRI: This advanced imaging test uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of your heart, which can help assess the severity of heart valve disease.

• Exercise tests: Your doctor may recommend a stress test or exercise echocardiogram to evaluate how your heart valves function during physical activity.

The management of heart valve disease depends on the severity and type of the valve problem, as well as the patient's overall health and symptoms. The primary treatment options include:

• Medications: Common medications include beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol and atenolol), digoxin, and calcium channel blockers (e.g., amlodipine and diltiazem) to manage heart rate and prevent irregular rhythms. Additionally, diuretics (e.g., furosemide and spironolactone) and vasodilators (e.g., hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate) help control blood pressure and reduce the heart's workload.

• Surgery: Surgery may be necessary for more severe cases. Valve repair involves fixing the existing valve without artificial components, such as remodelling abnormal tissue or using prosthetic rings. Valve replacement is indicated when valves are severely damaged, with options for tissue (biologic) or mechanical valves, typically requiring open-heart surgery.

• Minimally invasive procedures: For high-risk patients, options like transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and MitraClip are available. These procedures are less invasive alternatives that can effectively treat valve issues without the need for traditional open-heart surgery.

Living with heart valve disease requires ongoing management and lifestyle adjustments. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Attend regular appointments with your cardiologist to monitor the progression of the disease and adjust treatment plans as needed.

• Take prescribed medications as directed by your doctor to manage symptoms and prevent complications.

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, to help manage symptoms and reduce cardiovascular risks.

• Follow guidelines regarding antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedures and other invasive treatments.

If you experience symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations from irregular heartbeats, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, leg swelling, or abdominal pain due to an enlarged liver, it's important to seek medical attention promptly. These symptoms, especially if they are severe or persistent, should not be ignored. Early detection and intervention can significantly prevent the progression of heart valve disease, leading to better overall outcomes for your health.

• Heart valve disease is a condition where one or more of the heart valves do not function properly, affecting blood flow through the heart.

• The main types of heart valve disease are aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, and mitral regurgitation.

• Symptoms of heart valve disease may include chest pain, palpitations, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, and leg or abdominal swelling.

• Treatment options for heart valve disease include medications, surgery (repair or replacement), and minimally invasive procedures, depending on the severity and type of the condition.

• Regular follow-up with a cardiologist, medication adherence, lifestyle changes, and infective endocarditis prevention are important aspects of managing heart valve disease.

• Seeking prompt medical attention when symptoms appear or worsen is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment of heart valve disease.