Heart valve disease

Heart valve disease occurs when a heart valve is damaged or narrowed and does not control or allow the normal flow of blood through and out of the heart. Causes of heart valve disease include heart disease, an abnormal valve, or a rupture of a valve.

Heart valves operate like one-way gates, helping blood flow in one direction between heart chambers as well as into and out of the heart. A normal heart valve has flaps, called leaflets. When the heart pumps, the leaflets open one way to allow blood to flow through. Between heartbeats, the leaflets should close to form a tight seal so that blood does not leak backwards through the valve.

If the heart valve is damaged, the leaflets may not form a tight seal, and blood may leak backwards through the valve. This leakage is called regurgitation.

Heart disease can also cause the heart valves to become narrowed, which may block the flow of blood through the heart. This narrowing is called stenosis.

Over time, a damaged valve may lead to enlargement of the heart chambers, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. It can reduce blood flow to the muscles of the body, including the heart muscle itself, which can result in symptoms or damage.

Treatment for heart valve disease depends on the cause and severity. Close monitoring is sometimes all that is needed for those who have mild or no symptoms, but a doctor may recommend surgery to repair or replace the valve in more serious cases.