The heart’s valves help direct blood flow into and out of the heart in one direction. When functioning properly, these valves open and close shut completely. However, malfunction resulting from birth defects, infection and age-related degeneration cause heart valves to leak, making the heart work harder. The mitral and aortic valves are the most commonly affected of the four heart valves, notes Patrick Yachimski, M.D., co-author of “Pathophysiology of Heart Disease”. Here are the major valve disease types and signs associated with each.
Signs of Mitral Stenosis
Mitral stenosis involves the thickening of the mitral valve which connects the top and bottom chambers of the heart’s left side. As a result, blood flow is obstructed and blood pressure increases. Early signs of this valve disease variant include dyspnea or shortness of breath and a reduced capacity for physical activity. As mitral stenosis worsens, shortness of breath occurs at rest, along with increased fatigue and orthopnea. With advanced mitral stenosis, the right-side of the heart begins to fail and signs include jugular vein protrusion from the neck and swelling of the hands, ankles and feet, referred to clinically as peripheral edema, says physician-author Yachimski. In addition, the voice may become hoarse as a result of pressure on the larynx nerve by an enlarged heart or pulmonary artery.
Signs of Mitral Regurgitation
Mitral regurgitation results from improper closing of the mitral valve between heart beats. This causes blood to flow backwards into the heart, reducing the amount of blood leaving the heart. The early stages of this heart valve disorder produce signs of pulmonary edema, fatigue and weakness, especially during physical activity. In severe cases of mitral regurgitation, the patient develops shortness of breath during rest and orthopnea. The worst cases of this valve disease develop into right heart failure, the signs of which are increased waist girth due to stomach distension and severe swelling of the limbs.
Signs of Mitral Valve Prolapse
Mitral valve prolapse describes the condition of a floppy mitral valve in which the valve leaflets are pushed backwards into the heart chamber during a heartbeat. Yachimski, a Harvard University Medical School graduate, explains this is mainly a genetic disorder and most patients show no signs of the condition. Mitral valve prolapse has to be found by a physician using echocardiography. However, a small percentage of patients do show signs associated with this valve disorder including chest pain and irregular heartbeats, adds Yachimski.
Signs of Aortic Stenosis
Aortic stenosis involves the narrowing of the aortic valve due to calcium build up and is a disease that gets progressively worse with age. The patient may go years without signs of the disease then suddenly experience chest pain, syncope and irregular heart rhythm, says Rick A. Nishimura, M.D., co-author of “Mayo Clinic Cardiology: A Concise Text”. If left untreated, aortic stenosis can lead to congestive heart failure, a potentially fatal condition.
Signs of Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic regurgitation stems from aortic valve abnormalities related to heart inflammation and birth defects as well as increased diameter of the aorta due to aortic aneurysm or infection. With this condition, some of the blood that is supposed to leave the heart for circulation flows back into the heart. Early signs of aortic regurgitation include increased diastolic blood pressure and shortness of breath. Left untreated, systolic blood pressure increases and diastolic blood pressure decreases, resulting in a widened pulse pressure, the hallmark sign of aortic regurgitation, explains Yachimski.
References
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Heart Valve Disease
- "Pathophysiology of Heart Disease"; Valvular Heart Disease; Patrick Yachimski, M.D.; 2003
- "Mayo Clinic Cardiology: A Concise Text"; Valvular Heart Disease; Rick A. Nishimura, M.D.; 2007
