Valvular Heart Disease

Valvular heart disease is a condition that affects the function of one or more of the heart’s four valves: the aortic, mitral, tricuspid, and pulmonary valves. These valves help regulate blood flow through the heart and ensure it moves in the correct direction.

When a valve fails to function properly, it can lead to serious cardiovascular complications, including heart failure.

At Sydnor Cardiovascular Center, our experienced cardiologist, Dr. Lilian Ahiable, specializes in diagnosing and treating valvular heart disease using advanced imaging techniques and cardiac procedures. Our team provides comprehensive and personalized care to optimize your heart health.

Understanding Valvular Heart Disease

The heart has four chambers—two at the top (atria) and two at the bottom (ventricles). As blood moves through the heart, it passes through a valve at the exit of each chamber. These valves work like one-way doors, allowing blood to flow in the right direction and preventing it from going backward.

The four heart valves include:

Aortic Valve: Located between the left ventricle and the aorta, this valve controls the flow of oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of your body. When it opens, blood is pumped into the aorta, your body's main artery.
Mitral Valve: Found between the left atrium and left ventricle, this valve opens to allow oxygenated blood from the left atrium to enter the left ventricle.
Pulmonary Valve: Positioned between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery, this valve opens to allow oxygen-poor blood to be pumped into the lungs, where it picks up oxygen. The oxygen-rich blood then returns to the left atrium of the heart through the pulmonary veins.
Tricuspid Valve: Located between the right atrium and right ventricle, this valve opens to let oxygen-poor blood flow from the right atrium into the right ventricle before being sent to the lungs for oxygenation.

Valvular heart disease occurs when one or more heart valves become damaged or diseased, impairing their ability to open and close properly. If left untreated, heart valve disease can restrict blood flow, forcing the heart to work harder.

Over time, this can lead to serious complications, such as:

Heart failure
Stroke
Blood clots
Heart rhythm abnormalities

Types of Valvular Heart Disease

Valvular heart disease can affect one or multiple valves in several forms—stenosis, regurgitation, prolapse, and atresia.

Stenosis (Narrowed Valve)

In stenosis, the valve flaps (leaflets) become stiff and thickened, causing the valve opening to narrow. This restricts blood flow, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood through the tight space. While mild narrowing may not significantly affect heart function, severe stenosis can strain the heart, reducing blood supply to the rest of your body.

Regurgitation (Leaky Valve)

Also called insufficiency or a leaky valve, regurgitation occurs when the valve doesn’t close properly, allowing blood to flow backward instead of moving forward as it should. This forces the heart to work harder, and over time, it may struggle to deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to your body.

Prolapse (Loose Valve Leaflets)

Prolapse occurs when the valve leaflets shift out of place or bulge, preventing the valve from closing properly. This can lead to uneven closure, allowing blood to leak backward and disrupting normal one-way blood flow.

The mitral valve is most commonly affected by prolapse. In mitral valve prolapse, part or all of the valve bulges upward into the left atrium when the heart contracts. This may cause a small amount of blood to leak backward (regurgitation).

While less common, tricuspid, pulmonary, and aortic valves can also experience prolapse, potentially leading to similar leakage and blood flow disruption.

Atresia (Absent or Closed Valve)

Atresia is a heart condition that can be present at birth (a congenital heart defect) or, in rare cases, develop later in life. It occurs when a heart valve has no opening, but instead, a solid sheet of tissue blocks blood flow between heart chambers.

There are two main types of heart valve atresia:

Pulmonary Atresia: It affects the pulmonary valve, preventing blood from flowing from the heart to the lungs through the pulmonary artery.
Tricuspid Atresia: It affects the tricuspid valve, blocking blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle and disrupting normal circulation.

Each type of heart valve disease affects circulation differently, but they all impact heart function and overall health. Early detection and treatment play a critical role in preventing complications.

Symptoms of Valvular Heart Disease

The symptoms of valvular heart disease depend on the severity and type of valve dysfunction. Common symptoms include:

Chest pain or discomfort
Shortness of breath, especially after exertion or while lying down
Fatigue and weakness
Dizziness or fainting
Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
Swelling in the ankles, feet, or abdomen (edema)
Reduced ability to exercise

You may remain asymptomatic in the early stages of valvular disease. This is why it is so important to go for regular cardiovascular evaluations.

Causes & Risk Factors of Valvular Heart Disease

Valvular heart disease can be present at birth (congenital) or develop later in life due to damage or disease (acquired).

Several factors contribute to the development of valvular heart disease.

Congenital Heart Defects: You may be born with improperly formed heart valves, increasing the risk for dysfunction later in life.
Age-Related Calcification: As you age, calcium deposits can accumulate on the valve leaflets, leading to stiffening and reduced function.
Infective Endocarditis: Bacterial infections can lead to valve inflammation and structural damage.
Hypertension and Heart Disease: High blood pressure and coronary artery disease strain the heart valves, increasing the risk of dysfunction.
Autoimmune Conditions: Diseases such as lupus and rheumatic fever can contribute to heart valve inflammation and degeneration.
Lifestyle Factors: Unhealthy habits like smoking, poor diet, and lack of physical activity can make heart disease worse and lead to problems with the heart valves faster.

Diagnosis of Valvular Heart Disease

At Sydnor Cardiovascular Center, we start with a physical examination to find the signs of heart valve disease, including:

Fluid in your lungs
An enlarged heart
Heart murmur
Swelling in your ankles

In order to ensure we can assess your heart valve function accurately, we may include the following tests during the diagnostic process.

Echocardiography (TTE and TEE): Transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal (TEE) echocardiograms provide detailed imaging of the heart valves and blood flow.
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): These tests help measure the electrical activity of the heart to detect irregularities.
Cardiac MRI & CT Scans: These high-resolution imaging techniques can be used to assess structural abnormalities in the heart.
Cardiac Catheterization: This is a minimally invasive procedure that evaluates blood flow and valve function using contrast dye and X-ray imaging.

Treatment for Valvular Heart Disease

While heart valve damage cannot be reversed, it can be effectively managed with the right treatment approach. The choice of medication, surgical repair, or valve replacement can depend on multiple factors.

Type and severity of valve disease
Age and overall health
Medical history and risk factors

Treatment options for valvular heart disease may include:

Preventing further damage through lifestyle modifications
Medications to manage symptoms and reduce the risk of stroke or cardiac complications
Minimally invasive procedures such as cardiac catheterization when necessary
Ongoing monitoring for mild cases to ensure timely intervention if the condition worsens

Managing Valvular Heart Disease in St. Petersburg, FL

Early diagnosis and treatment of valvular heart diseases are crucial for your heart health. Our cardiologist, Dr. Lilian Ahiable, specializes in diagnosing and treating valvular heart disease using advanced imaging and minimally invasive procedures for precise and effective care.

To schedule an appointment, call 727-300-2282 or request an appointment online.