Is surgery necessary for all heart valve disease types?
Is surgery necessary for all heart valve disease types?
Introduction
One of the problems of heart valve disease is the absence of symptoms among some people for many years. During this period, the disease may gradually develop and progress to one of multiple conditions. For instance, it can lead to arrhythmia, infection, high blood pressure in the lungs, possible heart failure or cardiac arrest.
Some of the heart valve diseases have a genetic component, and may be passed from a parent to a child. For instance, bicuspid aortic valve is an inherited condition. An effective option would be to go in for genetic testing , to understand risk of developing the condition, if the same has been diagnosed in a family member earlier. Here is a detailed look at symptoms, and treatment options of heart valve disease.
What are murmurs in valvular heart disease?
What are murmurs in valvular heart disease?
This refers to abnormal sounds in the heart in people with some form of heart valve disease. Normally functioning heart valves, (mitral, aortic, tricuspid, and pulmonary) are to open and close smoothy to facilitate flow of blood through the heart. When the valve is either narrow or improperly closing, the flow of blood is affected. This causes a whooshing sound, medically known as a murmur. These are detected with a stethoscope, and assist in diagnosing the type and severity of the condition.
Murmurs can be caused:
- When the valve is narrow, known as stenosis.
- When the valve leaks known as regurgitation or insufficiency.
What is degenerative valvular heart disease?
Degenerative condition in heart valve disease refers to the gradually worsening condition of the heart valves over a period of time. With advancing age, the aortic and mitral valves, typically end up damaged. This makes the valves go stiff, or end up thickened or calcified impacting the ability to open and close efficiently.
Two common types of degenerative valvular disease are:
- Aortic valve stenosis – when the aortic valve becomes stiff or narrow, impacting flow of blood from the heart.
- Mitral valve regurgitation – when the mitral valve ends up losing form, allowing blood to flow backward to the heart.
This condition is often observed in elderly patients resulting in symptoms such as difficulty breathing, pain in the chest, or tiredness and a faint feeling. When this problem progresses and becomes severe, valve repair or replacement may be the only remedial measure.
Are there options for heart valve disease treatment without surgery?
Yes, non-surgical treatment options exist for heart valve disease, and hinges on the nature of the condition and its severity. These treatment options help manage symptoms or slow down the progression of the disease. However, these methods may not fully cure the valve problem. Non-surgical treatment options include the following:
- Medicines – like diuretics to reduce fluid buildup and tackle symptoms such as swelling and difficulty breathing. Beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors to lower blood pressure levels and reduce the burden on the heart. Blood thinners reduce the risk of blood clots, while vasodilators relax blood vessels, improving efficiency of pumping blood.
- Balloon valvuloplasty – a minimally invasive procedure involving insertion of a balloon to widen a narrowed valve.
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement – another less invasive option, is used for replacing a diseased aortic valve.
- Changes to lifestyle – can help manage symptoms and improve your overall heart health. This can be achieved through recommended exercises, quitting smoking and cutting down alcohol intake
Is mitral valve prolapse considered heart disease?
One of the different types of heart valve disease is mitral valve prolapse. This is typically not as severe as other forms of heart disease. This condition occurs when the valve that controls flow of blood in the heart does not close as required. The valve flaps are known to prolapse during heartbeats, causing blood to leak backward.
When this the leakage turns severe, the following symptoms may be experienced:
- Changes in heart beats.
- Pain in the chest.
- Overall fatigue.
- Difficulty breathing during physical activity.
What is the treatment for heart valve disease?
Treatment for heart valve disease will vary as per the nature of the valve problem and its severity. Treatments include medications, lifestyle changes and surgical procedures, as listed below:
- Medicines – help to manage the symptoms and will not cure heart valve disease. These include diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, anticoagulants and vasodilators.
- Changes to lifestyle – include switching over to a heart-healthy diet. This needs to be low in salt, cholesterol, and saturated fats. Routine physical activity should be diligently followed, but only as per recommendations. Two habits need to be kicked – smoking and alcohol.
- Procedures that are minimally invasive – can be chosen by patients unsuitable for surgical procedures. This could also be a good option for patients with mild valve disease. Options include balloon valvuloplasty and transcatheter aortic valve replacement. These two options have been outlined in earlier sections. The next option is MitraClip a less invasive procedure that is used to repair a leaking mitral valve. This is performed by placing a clip that makes the valve close effectively, thereby cutting down on the leakage.
- Surgery – these interventions may be necessary for people with more severe cases. These may also be required when the symptoms persist or aggravate. Surgical options include the following:
o Valve repair – this is performed by removing calcium deposits, and reshaping the valve tissue. Another repair procedure is tightening of the valve to improve its functioning.
o Valve replacement – is undertaken when repair is not possible. This is performed by replacing the damaged valve with a mechanical valve or a biological valve. The mechanical valve is manufactured with durable materials, and are known to last longer. However, the patient will be expected to be on lifelong blood-thinning medications. Biological valves are made using animal or human tissue and are not known to last as long as mechanical valves. However, the advantage is doing away with the need for blood thinning medications.
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Education: Master of Public Health (MPH) from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh Experience: A dedicated health writer with 8 years of experience covering a range of health topics, including public health and nutrition. His work has appeared on reputable Indian health websites and journals such as India Health Journal and The Health Times. Ravi also collaborates with Indian health agencies on public health campaigns.