Living With a Leaky Heart Valve
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The heart has four valves. They’re one-way valves that open and shut so that blood can keep flowing in the right direction and prevent backward movement.
If the valves in your heart fail to close completely, blood may flow backward instead. This condition is known as a leaky heart valve or valve regurgitation.
Leaky Heart Valve Symptoms
Leaky heart valves are fairly common, particularly among seniors. This condition may gradually make the heart work harder, causing damage and distressing symptoms, such as:
- Coughing
- Chest congestion
- Enlarged heart
- Fatigue
- Fluttering heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in the legs and feet
Causes of Leaky Heart Valves
Beyond natural ageing processes affecting cardiac structures, other factors that can cause leaky heart valves include:
- Being born with structural valve defects
- Heart damage from a previous heart attack
- Rheumatic heart disease
- Heart tumours
- Endocarditis
High blood pressure may also lead to or exacerbate leaky heart valves.
Is a leaky heart valve serious?
A leaky heart valve forces the heart to work harder to circulate blood effectively, potentially depriving the body’s organs and tissues of adequate blood supply. Many people with a leaky heart valve may not experience any symptoms and remain unaware of the condition, especially in mild cases. In severe cases, however, the condition can result in heart failure or even trigger a sudden cardiac event.
Valve Regurgitation Tests and Diagnosis
Healthcare providers often use an echocardiogram (echo) to identify a leaky heart valve. This diagnostic test employs high-frequency sound waves to produce detailed images of the heart’s interior.
Additional tests that may be required include:
- Blood tests
- Cardiac catheterisation
- Chest X-ray
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Heart MRI
Management and Treatment
Not all cases demand urgent intervention. Your healthcare team may opt to observe your condition through regular monitoring. Treatment becomes advisable if the valve regurgitation:
- Impacts quality of life by limiting daily enjoyment or productivity
- Triggers noticeable symptoms
- Places excessive strain on heart function
- Poses risks to long-term survival
Treatment options may involve medications to alleviate symptoms and surgical interventions such as heart valve repair or replacement for damaged valves. Healthcare providers can tailor these approaches depending on factors like the severity of the valve condition, the specific valve affected, your age, and your general health status.
Final Thoughts
Consult your doctor promptly about treatment options for a leaky heart valve. Early medication, before complications develop, can enhance both your longevity and quality of life.
