What Do Normal Heart Valves Look Like?
Ever wonder, “What does a normal heart valve look like?”
I did.
So, I thought you might want to know what I learned before I went into my aortic valve replacement surgery.
First, you have to know that all heart valves do not look the same. As you can see in the diagram of the heart below, heart valves differ in size. The aortic valve and the pulmonary valve are smaller than the mitral valve and the tricuspid valve. And, you can also see that the mitral valve is the only valve that is naturally bicuspid. A bicuspid valve only has two leaflets while all the other valves have three leaflets.
Here are some images that show how a normal heart valve functions in the heart:
I hope that helps answer the question, “What do normal heart valves look like?“
Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick is a former, double heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. This special book was designed to help patients and caregivers better understand the opportunities and potential pitfalls of heart valve replacement and heart valve repair surgery. Ultimately, this book was written to minimize patient stress and to enhance the patient’s recovery. To learn more about Adam’s heart valve surgery book, click here.
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March 23rd, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Hi Adam!! The heart image pumping is great!!! I remember Sergio’s echocardiograms how the mitral valve was severely leaking, blood was returning to the place from which was pumped out!! enormous effort for the heart to keep up the job!! wonderful piece of machine the heart is!!
July 6th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Hi Adam,
I also had “repair” surgery on my pulmonary valve in 1969 when I was 5 and then had the valve replaced 4 years ago. I’m now 44 and have a bowvine valve. The procedure was done is such an “exploratory” way, we have no idea how long this valve will last. The problem is, I’m 43 now and I still don’t understand what the heck the problem was/is or how they repaired it. The surgeon left the state so I thought maybe you could explain. It was my pulmunary and they replaced it with a artificial bowvine instead of a mechanical. I had severe stinosis. I am doing great now however; the life span on these valves are possibly a decade or so! I’m always nervouse now! I did not remember a thing when I had open heart at five but at 38, I remember it all! Thanks,
Tracy Saunders