Heart Valve Disease

When valves are damaged, they often don’t open and close properly, which makes your heart work harder. In time, this extra work can weaken your heart muscle and heart valve disease can develop. Heart valve disease can also cause heart rate and rhythm problems and other complications.

The most common types of valve problems are:

• Insufficiency. The valve fails to close completely and permits blood backflow.
• Stenosis. Thickened tissue narrows the valve opening and limits the amount of blood that can pass through.
• Prolapse. Mitral valve leaflets (flaps) protrude backward into the left atrium whenever the heart contracts—causing some blood to flow backwards inside the heart.

Causes

Some people are born with a valve defect (a congenital valve defect). For others, the valves are damaged by coronary artery disease or by an illness such as rheumatic fever. Heart valves can also simply wear out as you grow older.

Diagnostic Testing

• Cardiovascular Diagnostic Testing
  • Chest X-rays
  • Echocardiography
  • Electrocardiogram (EKG,ECG)
  • Stress Testing
• Cardiac Cath Lab Diagnostic Procedures
  • Cardiac Catheterization

Treatment Procedures

• Cardiac Cath Lab Interventional Procedures
  • Valvuloplasty (PTBV)
• Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Heart Valve Repair/Replacement

Medication

Taking medications is one of the most important aspects of your treatment. To get the most benefit from your heart medications and avoid mistakes and complications, it helps to understand why you’re taking them and how they work.

Intermountain Healthcare resources on heart valve disease, diagnosis, and treatment

• Heart Care Handbook Chapter 2 - Understanding Heart Disease
• Heart Care Handbook Chapter 4 - Diagnostic Tests
• Heart Care Handbook Chapter 5 - Treatment Procedures
• Heart Care Handbook Chapter 6 - Medications

Intermountain Healthcare resources on heart healthy living

• Heart Care Handbook Chapter 7 - Activity for a Healthy Heart
• Heart Care Handbook Chapter 9 - More Healthy Habits

Additional Resources

• American Heart Association (AHA)
• Medline Plus Heart Pages