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The heart’s four valves play important roles in how blood flows through your heart. They open and close every time your heart beats, and valve disease can cause one or more of the valves to work improperly. If a valve fails to close properly, it can cause a backflow of blood, also called regurgitation. A valve that fails to open properly can impede the flow of blood which is called stenosis. The four heart valves are:
- Mitral valve
- Aortic valve
- Tricuspid valve
- Pulmonary valve
The mitral and aortic valves are most commonly affected by valve disease. Tricuspid and pulmonary valve disease are less common, although Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin has the unmatched expertise to treat all types of valve disease. In fact, we often treat patients with conditions too complicated for other facilities.
Valve disease can be caused by a number of factors and each valve may be affected differently. Some patients might be born with valve problems, and some disease may be due to infection, rheumatic fever, heart attack, coronary artery disease or other causes.
Some of the more common diseases that affect the heart’s valves include:
Mitral Valve Regurgitation
The mitral valve allows blood to flow from your heart’s left atrium to the left ventricle. Mitral valve regurgitation occurs when the valve doesn’t close properly and blood flows backward into the left atrium. That means the heart has to work harder to compensate.
Mitral Valve Stenosis
With mitral valve stenosis, the mitral valve becomes narrowed and makes it difficult for blood to flow into the left ventricle. This increases pressure in the left atrium which can lead to several problems including pulmonary edema, arrhythmia and blood clots.
Mitral Valve Prolapse
Mitral valve prolapse or MVP, is one of the most common heart valve problems. With MVP, one or both of the valve’s “flaps” called leaflets, are enlarged. They bulge back into the atrium each time the heart pumps, causing a small amount of blood to flow back into the atrium. If MVP becomes severe, the left side of the heart can become enlarged, and treatment may be required.
Aortic Valve Regurgitation
The aortic valve helps pump blood from the left ventricle to the aorta. Aortic valve regurgitation, also called insufficiency, occurs when the aortic valve doesn’t close properly and blood flows back into the left ventricle. This makes the heart work harder, and in some cases can lead to enlargement of the left ventricle. Not all leakages require treatment. Treatment is examined when the leakage is large enough to cause a problem.
Aortic Valve Stenosis
With aortic vale stenosis, the aortic valve has narrowed, making it harder for blood to flow through to the aorta. This can lead to higher pressure in the left ventricle, which can make the muscle work harder and eventually thicken.
Author: Joan Pike | Medical Reviewer: | Timothy Woods, MD, FACC | | Medical College of Wisconsin Cardiologist |
Last Review Date: Aug. 20, 2007 |
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