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How to diagnose and treat heart valve disease?

How to diagnose and treat heart valve disease?

Introduction

A new trend has been observed through statistical data on heart disease cases in India. People in the age group of 30 to 40 years have higher possibility of heart valve disease. Mitral regurgitation, one of the types of this condition has been recorded in higher numbers. Let’s dive deeper to understand why it is necessary to opt for early screening to treat heart valve disease effectively.

What are the common heart valve disease symptoms?

Symptoms of heart valve disease depend on the affected valve and nature of the condition. For instance, heart valve disease can be broadly classified into stenosis, regurgitation, or a combination of both. An understanding of symptoms help in taking the right approach to treat heart valve disease. Some of the commonly reported symptoms include:

  1. Pain in the chest – could be experienced as sharp pain or tight feeling in the chest. This is due to poor flow of blood to the heart muscle. This could also be due to overburdened heart as a result of some kind of valve dysfunction.
  2. Difficulty breathing – or a sense of breathlessness, either as a result of physical activity or even when resting in a flat position. This is due to build-up of fluid in the lungs as a result of defects in the left-sided valve. 
  3. Overall tiredness – or weakness, even after little physical activity. This is due to the reduced ability of the heart to pump blood effectively. This results in lesser oxygen in the tissues. 
  4. Changed heartbeats – Irregular or fast paced heartbeats, due to irregular heart rhythms that are linked to valve disease.  
  5. Swelling – in the legs due to retention of fluid as a result of right-sided or left sided heart failure. This is attributed to valve dysfunction.
  6. Murmurs in the heart – refers to unusual heart sounds when monitored with a stethoscope. This is due to unregulated flow of blood through affected valve. 
  7. Sudden gain in weight – without any known condition or reason. This is due to retention of fluid that occurs due to heart failure.
  8. Cold skin – or clammy skin, feeling cool to the touch. This is due to poor blood circulation as a result of heart valve dysfunction

What are the commonly prescribed drugs for heart disease?

The methods to treat heart valve disease include the use of medications that depend on the nature of heart disease and severity. Drugs that are commonly prescribed include the following:

  1. ACE inhibitors to reduce blood pressure.  
  2. Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers – to relax blood vessels like ACE inhibitors. 
  3. Beta-Blockers – to reduce heart rate and blood pressure. 
  4. Calcium Channel Blockers – to relax blood vessels. 
  5. Diuretics – to reduce fluid build-up. 
  6. Anti-Platelet and anticoagulants – to reduce the risk of blood clots.  
  7. Statins – to lower cholesterol levels.
  8. Nitrates – to improve blood flow to the heart. 
  9. Antiarrhythmics – to control abnormal heart rhythms.
  10. Heart failure medicines – to help the heart pump better.

Is yoga for heart disease an effective option?

While many consider yoga as an effective option to treat heart valve disease, it is only a complementary approach to manage heart disease. It cannot deliver cure or treat the condition by itself. It can be a part of holistic treatment along with other methods such as medications, lifestyle changes and surgical interventions. Essentially, yoga can be considered as a lifestyle modification. It helps the individual ensure desired physical activity, and can be a part of a balanced fitness routine. It is important to seek medical recommendations before taking up certain yoga postures and exercises.

Important heart disease information

To treat heart valve disease, it is necessary to be aware of detailed information about the condition, risks, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Here is a quick overview of heart disease.

Types of heart disease

Heart disease is broadly classified into the following types:

  •   Coronary Artery Disease – due to plaque buildup and reduced flow of blood to the heart muscle.
  •   Heart failure – when the heart cannot pump blood as required. 
  •  Arrhythmias – unusual heart rhythms. 
  •  Valvular heart disease – as a result of defects in heart valves, with effects on flow of blood.
  •  Congenital heart disease – heart defects present from birth.

Risk factors

  •  There are modifiable risk factors wherein you can reduce the risk by controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and by ceasing smoking, drinking. Other factors of this category include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and diet.
  •  Non-modifiable risk factors are factors such as your age, your family history of heart disease, gender, and genetic predisposition.

Symptoms

The following symptoms are commonly experienced – pain in the chest, difficulty breathing, overall tiredness, irregular heartbeats, swelling in the legs and heart murmurs.

Diagnosis

Heart disease is diagnosed through physical examination, electrocardiography, echocardiography, chest X-ray, cardiac MRI, cardiac catheterization, and blood tests.

Treatment

This involves medicines such as antihypertensives, statins, diuretics, anticoagulants, antiarrhythmics, and nitrates. Treatment regimen also includes changes to lifestyle, diet, ceasing smoking, managing weight, and moderate physical activity.  You may also have to go in for certain procedures such as angioplasty, placement of stent, valve repair, and coronary artery bypass.

Role of genetic testing in detecting heart disease

Genetic testing plays an important role in detecting heart disease. This includes conditions that are congenital by nature or conditions that are genetically inherited. The testing involves drawing a blood sample or providing saliva for analysis. This is then analysed to offer a comprehensive report of future or lifetime risk of heart disease.

Advanced genetic testing facilities are presently available in Tamil Nadu, and help people benefit from early detection of conditions. Early screening and detection offers a better chance of reducing risk considerably and ensures that quality of life is not severely impacted. The test is relatively simple, painless and offers individuals the ability to either confirm or rule out future risk of heart disease from genetic reasons.

October 4, 2024 cardiovascular health , , , , ,