The heart is comprised of four valves--the aortic, pulmonary, tricuspid and mitral valves--that all play a vital role in controlling the force, volume and direction of blood flow through the heart, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Congenital defects, aging, infection and other medical conditions can cause these valves to fuse, improperly close, tear or otherwise malfunction. Doctors typically attempt to treat symptoms related to heart valve disease with medication and/or surgical valve repair or replacement.
Medication
Doctors may prescribe medications to treat the symptoms associated with heart valve problems, or to treat related conditions affecting the heart, such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and heart failure. According to the Cleveland Clinic, commonly prescribed medications include antiarrhythmics--drugs that help the heart maintain a normal beating rhythm--and vasodilators such as ACE inhibitors that help to open up the blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Beta blockers also reduce blood pressure and regulate heart rhythm, enabling the heart to pump less rapidly and forcefully. Diuretics--drugs that flush excess fluid from the body and reduce strain on the heart--and anti-coagulant medications--drugs that help to thin the blood and prevent clots near the heart valve--may also be beneficial.
Heart Valve Repair Surgery
Whenever possible, surgeons attempt to repair damaged heart valves surgically rather than replacing them altogether. According to MayoClinic.com, surgical repair of valves using the patient’s existing tissue can strengthen the heart and restore normal functioning, leading to increased life expectancy. The goal of surgery depends upon the nature of the defect and which valve is affected. Doctors may separate fused valves, patch holes or tears in the valve or reshape heart tissue so that valves close more securely. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, balloon valvuloplasty--a technique in which surgeons thread a balloon into the affected heart valve, then inflate it to expand the valve--may be used to treat the symptoms of heart valve disease among babies and children with certain congenital valve defects; however, it is less effective in treating adults with aortic stenosis--an abnormal narrowing of the aortic valve which impedes blood flow into the aorta and away from the heart.
Heart Valve Replacement Surgery
Damaged heart valves that cannot be repaired may be replaced with new valves. According to MayoClinic.com, patients may receive one of two possible types of replacement valves. Mechanical valves are those made of man-made, or synthetic, materials. Biological valves are those made from the tissue of animals such as cows or pigs, or from the patient’s own heart tissue. Biological valves are less durable than mechanical valves and require replacement every 10 to 15 years, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. However, mechanical valves increase the patient’s risk for developing blood clots; therefore, those receiving a synthetic valve replacement must take anti-coagulant medications such as coumadin for the rest of their lives to prevent clots from forming on the valves.
Heart valve replacement surgery is most commonly performed on severely damaged mitral and aortic valves. The patient’s age, medical history, activity level and childbearing concerns are all taken into account in determining the most appropriate type of replacement valve, according to MayoClinic.com.
