SERVICES & PROCEDURES
VALVULAR HEART DISEASE
OVERVIEW
Valvular heart disease, or heart valve disease, occurs when one or more of the valves in your heart are not functioning correctly. Treatment for this depends on the valve that is affected and the type and severity of the heart valve disease.
Your heart has four valves which keep blood flowing in the right direction. When one or more of the valves do not open or close properly, the blood flow through the heart is disrupted. The upper chambers of the heart are called atria, and the lower chambers of the heart are called ventricles. Heart valve disease might be experienced at birth or in adults who have experienced infections and other heart conditions.
Some people with heart valve disease may go years without experiencing any signs and symptoms. If signs and symptoms are experienced, it can be any of the following:
- Abnormal sound (heart murmur) when a doctor is listening to the heart beating with a stethoscope
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath, especially when active or when you are lying down
- Swollen ankles and feet
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Headaches
- Pulmonary oedema
- Heart palpitations
Upon experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, book a consultation with Dr Naicker so he may conduct some tests to see if you have heart valve disease. Dr Naicker will evaluate your signs and symptoms and perform a physical exam which involves listening for a heart murmur. The tests to be potentially done on you include echocardiography, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, cardiac MRI, exercise tests or stress tests and cardiac catheterisation.
With regards to treatment for heart valve disease, the first consideration is usually made for conservative treatments such as attaining regular medical supervision, quitting smoking and following a healthy diet.
Some medications which might be prescribed to you include beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, diuretics to reduce fluid retention and vasodilators.
Surgery is only necessary if your case is severe. In surgery, a heart valve repair is done using either your tissue, a donated valve from someone else or an artificial valve.