Heart valve defects explained

The 4 heart Valves:

 Atrioventricular valves:

• These heart valves control the blood flowing between the upper and lower chambers. i.e valves connecting the Atrium and the Ventricles.

• The valve between the right Atrium and right Ventricle is called the Tricuspid valve.

• The valve between the left Atrium and left ventricle is called the Mitral valve.

Semilunar valves:

• These heart valves control the blood flowing out of your heart.

• Blood leaves the right ventricle to the lungs via the Pulmonary valve.

• Blood leaves the left ventricle to the rest of the body via the Aortic valve.

Like all parts of your body the valves in your heart can start having problems and therefore malfunctioning. This could be caused by an infection, as a result of your genetics or just wear and tear with age.

The problems caused by valve defects are split in to 2 main categories:

1) Problems opening (stenosis): Valve doesn’t open properly and therefore not enough blood gets through. Could be caused by scarring or a build up of calcium deposits on the valve.

2) Problems closing (regurgitation): Valve doesn’t close properly and so blood leaks back where it shouldn’t. This means the heart has to work extra hard to re-pump the blood back out again.

 The Mitral and Aortic valves are the 2 most common valves to have defects whereas it is extremely rare for the Tri–Cuspid and Pulmonary valves to have problems.

Diagnosing Heart valve problems:

Sometimes your doctor is able to diagnose heart murmurs by use of a stethoscope, other times however more advanced techniques may be required:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): This records the electrical activity of your heart showing abnormal rhythms and heart muscle damage.
• Chest X-Ray: Can help show enlarged areas of the heart.
• Cardiac Echo : Measures sound waves rebounding off your heart helping to show the movement of the heart structures.
• Cardiac Catheterisation: A small hollow tube is inserted into an artery leading to the heart which can show up any blockages present.
• Radionuclide scans: Uses radioactive imaging to look for any abnormalities.
• Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI): By combination of large magnets, radio frequencies and a powerful computer the MRI is able to build up a detailed structure of the heart.

Symptoms of heart valve disorders:

• Shortness of breath especially with exercise or when lying down.
• Tiredness with increased activity.
• Heart palpitations.
• Pain/tightness off the chest.
• Dizziness.
• Anxiety or panic.

‘This information is intended as a guide only and should not be used as a substitute for medical information from your own doctor’