Summary about Disease
Valvular heart disease occurs when one or more of the heart's four valves (aortic, mitral, tricuspid, and pulmonary) don't work properly. These valves ensure blood flows in the correct direction through the heart and to the rest of the body. Problems can include stenosis (narrowing) where the valve doesn't open fully, regurgitation (leakage) where the valve doesn't close tightly, or prolapse (where the valve leaflets bulge backwards). This can lead to the heart working harder to pump blood, potentially causing heart failure or other complications.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary based on the specific valve(s) affected and the severity of the disease. Common symptoms include:
Shortness of breath, especially during activity or when lying down
Fatigue
Chest pain or pressure
Lightheadedness or fainting
Palpitations (irregular heartbeats)
Swollen ankles or feet
Heart murmur (an abnormal sound heard through a stethoscope)
Causes
Valvular heart disease can have a variety of causes:
Congenital heart defects: Some people are born with valve abnormalities.
Rheumatic fever: Untreated strep throat can lead to rheumatic fever, which can damage heart valves.
Infection: Endocarditis (infection of the heart lining and valves) can damage the valves.
Age-related changes: Valves can become stiff and calcified with age.
Other heart conditions: Conditions like heart attack, cardiomyopathy, and high blood pressure can affect the valves.
Other diseases: Certain diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Is Communicable
Valvular heart disease itself is generally not communicable. However, if the valve damage is caused by an infection like endocarditis (which is rare), the underlying infection could potentially be communicable in some specific situations.
Precautions
Precautions depend on the severity and type of valvular heart disease. General recommendations include:
Regular medical checkups: Follow up with your cardiologist as recommended.
Healthy lifestyle: Maintain a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet, and exercise regularly (as advised by your doctor).
Medication adherence: Take all prescribed medications as directed.
Dental hygiene: Good oral hygiene to prevent endocarditis.
Inform healthcare providers: Let your doctors and dentists know about your valve condition, especially before any procedures.
Limit sodium intake
Avoid tobacco use
How long does an outbreak last?
This question isn't applicable to valvular heart disease. The disease process is typically chronic and doesn't occur in "outbreaks." The progression of the disease depends on the underlying cause and the individual's health status.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically involves:
Physical examination: Listening to the heart with a stethoscope to detect murmurs.
Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of the heart that provides images of the valves and heart chambers.
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): To assess the heart's electrical activity.
Chest X-ray: To look for signs of heart enlargement or fluid in the lungs.
Cardiac MRI or CT scan: May be used for more detailed imaging.
Cardiac catheterization: In some cases, a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel and guided to the heart to measure pressures and assess valve function.
Timeline of Symptoms
The timeline of symptoms varies greatly:
Congenital: Symptoms may be present from birth or develop in childhood/adulthood.
Rheumatic fever: Symptoms may appear years after the initial strep infection.
Age-related: Symptoms tend to develop gradually over many years.
Acute conditions (e.g., endocarditis): Symptoms can develop rapidly over days or weeks. The course of the disease can be:
Asymptomatic for long periods
Gradual worsening of symptoms over years
Rapid deterioration with complications
Important Considerations
Early detection is crucial: Early diagnosis and management can help prevent serious complications.
Individualized treatment: Treatment plans are tailored to the specific valve problem, the severity of the disease, and the individual's overall health.
Surgery may be necessary: Valve repair or replacement may be required if the disease is severe.
Pregnancy considerations: Women with valvular heart disease need careful monitoring during pregnancy.
Prognosis varies: The prognosis depends on the type and severity of the valve disease and the effectiveness of treatment.