Your heart contains four chambers and four valves. The valves are located between the upper and lower chambers and at the bottom of the lower chambers. As your heart muscle pumps blood through the chambers and throughout your body, these valves open to allow the blood to pass through, then close to prevent blood from flowing in the wrong direction. The tricuspid valve is located between the right upper and right lower chambers. Sometimes these valves can malfunction or be affected by disease and prolapse. Learning all you can about this condition will help you to manage your symptoms and prevent serious complications.
Identification
Each of the top chambers of your heart is called an atrium; each bottom chamber is a ventricle. Blood in the right atrium is pushed through the tricuspid valve and into the right ventricle. The valve then closes so blood does not flow back into the right atrium. If disorders cause an enlargement of the right ventricle, this valve can prolapse, or slip out of place. The valve either will close completely after opening or the flaps of the valve may push inward. When this happens, normal blood flow is interrupted.
Considerations
According to the American Heart Association, in cases where there is lung disease, such as emphysema, or infections, such as rheumatic fever, the right ventricle may become enlarged, because the heart muscle must work harder to do its job. As the right ventricle increases in size, the tricuspid valve may stretch and no longer be able to function correctly. Infections and birth defects also can cause the valves to be floppy and not work properly. Certain diseases may cause a degenerative process in the valve. Whatever the cause, if left untreated tricuspid valve prolapse can lead to heart failure.
Symptoms
The Cleveland Clinic states that with tricuspid valve prolapse, you might experience irregular heart beats and a strong pulse in your neck, swelling of the liver, general weakness and fatigue. These symptoms occur because the body is not getting the blood and oxygen it needs. You may have abdominal pain or discomfort, caused by pressure from an enlarged liver. You also might retain fluid in your legs and other areas of your body.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will need to do a variety of tests to determine if you have tricuspid valve prolapse. This includes examining your complete medical history along with the symptoms you are now experiencing. Listening for abnormal heart sounds with a stethoscope combined with electrocardiography and chest X-rays will help to confirm this condition.
Treatment
According to the National Institutes of Health, if your symptoms are mild you will not need treatment. Your doctor will follow your condition to make sure it does not worsen. In most cases, treatment is focused on addressing the underlying condition(s); medications may be necessary. In severe cases, surgery to replace the valve may be needed.
