Heart valve disease: symptoms, causes, drugs, etc. • hello healthy

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Definition

What is heart valve disease?

Heart valve disease is a condition in which your heart valves don't work properly. There are four valves in your heart. These valves are responsible for helping blood flow in the right direction. Each time the heart beats, the valve opens and closes once. When the opening and closing functions of the heart are damaged, it can interfere with blood flow. Valvular heart disease also includes any valve-related conditions, such as carotid stenosis. Heart valve disease can cause many other heart problems, such as hypertension and heart failure.

How common is heart valve disease?

Heart valve disease is more common in the elderly, but can occur at any age. This condition can be managed by reducing your risk factors. Please discuss with your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of heart valve disease?

Heart valve disease can cause a variety of symptoms. Common signs and symptoms of valve heart disease are:

• Hard to breathe
• Heart palpitations
• Fatigue
• Discomfort or pain in the chest
• Dizziness or weakness
• Fainting
• Headache
• Cough
• Water retention, which can result in swelling of the lower body and abdomen
• Pulmonary edema
• Swelling of the ankles, feet, or abdomen
• Weight gain rapidly

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms of infection such as sore throat, general body aches and fever, please consult your doctor.

Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes heart valve disease?

In some cases, heart valve disease is a birth defect. However, this condition is often caused by a medical condition. Some of the conditions that can cause heart valve disease are:

• Infective endocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart tissue
• Rheumatic fever, which is an inflammatory disease caused by an infection by the streptococcus group of bacteria
• Aortic aneurysm, which is abnormal swelling or bulging of the aorta
• Atherosclerosis, which is hardening of the arteries
• Myxomatous degeneration, which is the weakening of the connective tissue in the mitral valve
• Lupus, which is a chronic autoimmune disorder
• Coronary artery disease
• Cardiomyopathy and syphilis
• Connective tissue disease
• Tumors, some drugs, and radiation

Risk factors

What increases my risk for heart valve disease?

There are many risk factors for heart valve disease, such as:

• Older people
• Lack of physical activity
• Have a history of heart disease, such as endocarditis, hypertension, or rheumatic fever.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are my treatment options for valve heart disease?

Treatment is based on how severe your heart valve disease is and what symptoms you have. Your doctor can suggest several treatments for you. You may need consistent medical supervision, quit smoking if you smoke, and follow a healthy diet

Your doctor can give you several prescription drugs to treat your condition. These drugs, such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, help control heart rate and blood flow; diuretics to reduce fluid retention; vasodilators that open or dilate blood vessels.

In severe cases, surgery may be required. This may include repair of a heart valve using your own tissue, or a veterinary valve if you need a biological replacement valve, or a valve donated from someone else, or a mechanical valve / artificial valve.

What are the usual tests for heart valve disease?

To diagnose valve heart disease, your doctor can listen to your heart through a stethoscope during a physical exam. The doctor will look for heart rate abnormalities that may indicate a problem with your heart valves.

Other tests after the physical exam include imaging tests and tests for your blood flow. Then, the doctor can monitor your heart valve process and choose the appropriate treatment.

• Chest x-ray: This test will show your doctor the shape, size, and position of the heart as sometimes heart valve disease can enlarge the heart.
• Echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography: uses a sound wave test (ultrasound) to produce detailed images of the heart and surrounding arteries.
• Cardiac catheterization: this test allows your doctor to see if any abnormalities in your blood flow could be caused by your heart valves.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat heart valve disease?

Here are some lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with heart valve disease:

• Know the type and extent of your heart valve disease
• Tell all your doctors and dentists that you have heart valve disease before you seek medical attention or receive any treatment
• Call your doctor if you have symptoms of infection
• Take care of your teeth and gums
• Take antibiotics before you have a procedure that can cause bleeding
• Take your medication as directed by your doctor
• Visit your doctor regularly.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.