Even though valvular heart disease is not as prevalent as hypertension or coronary artery disease, it is similarly dangerous. Fortunately, at Heart and Vascular Care, board-certified cardiologist Bhupinder Singh, MD, partners with men and women to offer extensive diagnosis and treatments for valvular heart disease in Plano, McKinney, and the greater Texas area. If you want to find out more about your risk of valvular heart disease, request an appointment at Heart and Vascular Care through mobile or book online.
What Is Valvular Heart Disease?
Valvular heart disease develops when one or several heart valves aren’t functioning properly. Everyone’s heart has four valves responsible for maintaining your blood flow in the right direction. In case one or more of these valves fails to open or close correctly, it will disrupt blood circulation. If not addressed immediately, this condition may result in more severe complications and sometimes fatal.
What Are The Symptoms of Valvular Heart Disease?
Valvular heart disease is a degenerative condition that develops gradually. This condition’s prevalent features are dizziness, chest pain, swelling in the ankles and legs (edema), abdominal swelling, fainting, fatigue, and Arrhythmias. Most people suffering from valvular heart disease are likely to experience shortness of breath, maybe during exercise or while at rest.
What Are The Different Forms of Valvular Heart Disease?
There are several forms of valvular heart disease, such as the following:
Stenosis
Valve stenosis is a form of valvular heart disease, which causes your valve flaps to become thick and stiffen. With time, this causes narrowing in the heart valve, hence reducing blood flow through such valves. The main types of stenosis include mitral stenosis, tricuspid stenosis, aortic stenosis, and pulmonary stenosis.
Regurgitation
Valve regurgitation is a form of the valvular disease that prevents your valve flaps from closing correctly- this lets blood flow back into your heart. The different forms of regurgitation include mitral regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation, aortic regurgitation, and pulmonary regurgitation.
Artesia
Artesia is a form of valvular disease, which develops once one or more of your heart valves is formed improperly. A valve with atresia is mainly a solid sheet of tissue that prevents blood flow from reaching the heart.
How To Diagnose Valvular Heart Disease?
For a comprehensive diagnosis of valvular heart disease, Dr. Singh performs a physical exam and cross-checks your medical history. He also discusses with you your prevailing symptoms and lifestyle. After which, he monitors your heart using a stethoscope- a murmur may highlight a valve problem.
If necessary, Dr. Singh will recommend further testing using an electrocardiogram (ECG), a cardiac MRI, or an echocardiogram. These tests offer detailed insights into your heart’s electrical activity by providing clear images of your heart chambers and heart valves.
How To Treat Valvular Disease?
The treatments for valvular disease vary according to the extremity of your condition and general health. Dr. Singh will recommend a combination of prescription medication, proper lifestyle changes, and sometimes, surgery. The two forms of surgical intervention offered by him are heart valve surgery and valve replacement surgery. In the latter, Dr. Singh uses a bioprosthesis or artificial valve to replace the diseased or damaged heart valve, whereas, for the former, he fixes the issue in one or multiple heart valves to enhance their general function.
In conclusion, do not wait until it’s too late to seek medical attention for your valvular heart disease. If you think you are at risk of valvular heart disease, book an appointment at Heart and Vascular Care through mobile or use the online scheduling tool today.