Heart Valve Disease: Symptoms & Solutions

Your Heart’s Valves and Their Purpose

Valves are flap-like structures between the chambers of your heart. Their main function is regulating blood flow throughout your heart. They serve as one-way doors, pushing blood forward to fuel the rest of your body while simultaneously preventing backflow.

Your heart has four valves, called the:

• Mitral valve
• Tricuspid valve
• Aortic valve
• Pulmonary valve

What Is Heart Valve Disease? What Are the Symptoms?

When one or more of these four valves malfunction, it leads to heart valve disease, meaning your heart is no longer capable of pumping and pushing along blood efficiently. There are several different types of heart valve disease, but two common ones are:

• Stenosis, referring to narrowing of the valve. When a valve can’t open fully, blood is unable to pass through.
• Regurgitation, referring to when a valve can’t close fully, often leading to the backflow of blood to previous chambers.

Heart valve disease may manifest differently in each person. However, the following are common symptoms to watch out for:

• Shortness of breath
• General fatigue and tiredness
• Swelling in the ankles or feet (a sign of poor circulation)
• Chest pain or tightness
• Dizziness or fainting
• Heart murmurs, usually detected as a ‘whooshing’ sound through a stethoscope

Risk Factors for Heart Valve Disease

Heart valve disease isn’t restricted to one group of people. However, certain risk factors make it more likely to develop, many of which may be beyond your control:

• Age: As we get older, our hearts are more likely to develop calcium deposits or suffer from general wear-and-tear, sometimes resulting in valve issues.
• Congenital valve defects: Some individuals are born with improperly formed valves.
• Family history: Individuals with a family history of heart disease or valve disease are at greater risk.
• Previous heart conditions: If you’ve dealt with heart failure, a heart attack, or other heart problems, valve disease may also be a risk.
• Chronic conditions like diabetes.

There are some risk factors you can manage though, including:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Smoking
• Lack of physical activity
• Obesity

Quitting smoking, improving your diet, and exercising more can lessen the influence of these lifestyle-based risk factors (or even eliminate them entirely).

Advanced Treatments for Heart Valve Disorders in El Paso, TX

If you suspect you’re dealing with a heart valve issue, connect with a cardiologist right away.

Dr. Tariq Siddiqui has over two decades of experience in minimally invasive cardiac interventions, with a special interest in heart valve disease. After a thorough examination and diagnosis process, he may prescribe certain medications or recommend procedures like valve replacement or MitraClip.

To learn more or to book an appointment, please call (915) 271-4652.