The heart has four chambers--the left and right atria, and left and right ventricles--that contract in series to push blood through and out of the heart. There are four heart valves--two that separate the atria and ventricles, and two between the ventricles and the major arteries leaving the heart. These valves aid in blood flow by opening and closing and allowing blood to move in only one direction. Occasionally, valves do not work properly, and either do not fully open, which leads to stenosis, or do not fully close, which allows regurgitation. Valves that do not operate correctly can cause serious health conditions and need to be treated, often with medication.
Vasodilators
While there is no medical cure for valvular heart disease, medication is often prescribed in an effort to relieve symptoms and reduce the stress on the heart. One way to do this is through the use of vasodilatation medication, which widens the blood vessels and lowers the amount of force necessary to move blood through them: this reduces how hard the heart must work. ACE-inhibitors cause blood vessels to expand, reduce blood pressure, and according to the American Heart Association, are now considered the first-choice vasodilator.
Diuretics
One way to reduce the load on the heart is to lower the amount of fluid in the blood. Medications that cause the kidneys to remove more sodium and water from the blood stream are called diuretics and are often prescribed for patients with valvular heart disease in an effort to reduce heart stress.
Beta Blockers
When the heart is not operating properly due to a defective valve, it tries to beat faster in compensation. Beta blocker medication reduces the heart's tendency to do this by blocking chemical messengers that increase heart rate, according to American Heart Association.
Anticoagulants
Blood thinning medications, or anticoagulants, reduce the tendency of blood to clot quickly. Many patients with valve disease are susceptible to developing blood clots on their valves that can then travel to the heart or lungs and cause strokes or heart attacks, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Calcium Channel Blockers
In an effort to reduce blood pressure and relax the heart muscle, calcium channel blockers may be prescribed. These medications interfere with the function of calcium which is necessary for heart contraction. This can have the effect of reducing heart stress.
Statins
Cholesterol reducing medication (statins) may be prescribed by your doctor in an effort to prevent atherosclerosis and blood clotting. This helps prevent any additional stress on the heart that may be caused by poor blood flow through coronary arteries. In addition to these medications, your doctor may ask you to adhere to a healthy diet, low in saturated fat and cholesterol, according to The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
