Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day

Every February 22nd, healthcare organizations, clinicians, and patient advocates come together to increase recognition of heart valve disease (HVD). Despite how serious it can become, many people have never heard of it until symptoms are advanced. Valvediseaseday.org, the American Heart Association, the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic, and Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology provide the following information to educate people about this disease. Awareness matters, because early recognition can literally save lives.

Heart Anatomy

Your heart is a complicated structure that can pump up to 100,000 times per day and move approximately 2,000 gallons of blood around the body every 24 hours. It consists of four chambers and four valves. The two upper chambers (atria) receive incoming blood into the heart and the two lower chambers (ventricles) pump blood out of the heart. The valves, which are formed with leaflets, are located between the chambers and act like one-way doors. They open to allow blood to move forward and close to prevent it from flowing backward. The following are descriptions of the valves:

• Tricuspid valve: Blood is returned from the body to the right atrium then is directed by this valve into the right ventricle where it collects prior to being pumped to the lungs.

• Pulmonary valve: This valve directs oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

• Mitral valve: This valve, situated between the left atrium and left ventricle, directs oxygenated blood from the lungs prior to distribution to the rest of the body.

• Aortic valve: Located between the left ventricle and aorta, this valve directs oxygenated blood away from the heart to the other tissues and organs in the body.

Heart Valve Disease (HVD) Description

Heart valve disease occurs when one or more valves do not open properly or do not close tightly. This interferes with normal blood flow and forces the heart to work harder. The main types of HVD are:

• Stenosis: The valve becomes narrowed and stiff making it unable to fully open or close.

• Regurgitation (or insufficiency): The valve doesn't completely close causing leaks and allowing blood to flow backward.

• Prolapse: The valve doesn't completely seal due to a bulge in the leaflets.

• Congenital abnormalities: The valves can be deformed or missing at birth.

People Affected by HVD

• Up to 15.3 million Americans (about 2.5% of the U.S. population) have heart valve disease, and more than 60,000 of those people die each year.

• Worldwide, there are 28 million people with heart valve disease.

Causes of Heart Valve Disease

HVD can be present at birth or develop later in life. Common causes include:

• Age-related calcium buildup on the valves

• Congenital heart defects

• Rheumatic fever or past untreated strep infection

• Infections of the heart (endocarditis)

• Heart attack damage

• Connective tissue disorders

• High blood pressure and heart enlargement

• Thoracic aortic aneurysm

• Marfan syndrome

• Autoimmune disorders (Lupus)

Symptoms

Symptoms may be mild at first and progress slowly over several years. Possible symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath, especially with activity or when lying flat

• Fatigue or reduced exercise tolerance

• Chest pain or pressure

• Dizziness or fainting

• Swelling in the ankles, feet, or abdomen

• Fluid in the lungs

• Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat

• A heart murmur detected by a provider

Many people remain undiagnosed because symptoms are mistaken for normal aging.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis often begins with a routine exam and may include:

• Listening for a heart murmur with a stethoscope

• Echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart)—the primary diagnostic test

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)

• Chest X-ray

• CT scan or cardiac MRI

• Cardiac catheterization in some cases

Potential Complications

Untreated heart valve disease can become life-threatening. Complications may include:

• Heart failure

• Stroke

• Blood clots

• Arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation

• Pulmonary hypertension

• Sudden cardiac death

Although progression can be gradual, early evaluation and treatment is extremely important.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the valve affected, severity, and symptoms and may include the following:

Monitoring

• Regular follow-up and imaging for mild disease

  
  

Medications

Medications, which don’t cure the valve but help manage symptoms, may include:

• Diuretics to reduce excess fluid in the body

• Blood pressure medicines to prevent further damage to the valves

• Antiarrhythmics to control abnormal heart rhythms

• Anticoagulants to prevent blood clots

Procedures & Surgery

• Valve repair (preferred when possible)

• Valve replacement surgery

• Transcatheter procedures (TAVR/TAVI)

Newer catheter-based therapies have dramatically expanded treatment options for patients who previously were not surgical candidates.

Awareness Matters

Heart valve disease can be successfully treated. Recognizing symptoms early, seeking evaluation, and implementing lifestyle changes can lead to better outcomes and healthier hearts.

• Pay attention to subtle symptoms

• Schedule routine exams, especially if you are an older adult

• Control blood pressure and cholesterol levels

• Eat a heart-healthy diet

• Exercise regularly

• Maintain a healthy weight

• Avoid tobacco use

• Manage diabetes

For additional information about health and wellness for the body, mind, and soul please visit Nurture Your Whole Self.