Calcified Heart Valves Vs. Normal Heart Valves
Are you like me?
When I was diagnosed with severe heart valve disease, I wanted to learn as much as I could about aortic stenosis (my valve disorder), aortic valve surgery and the recovery from open heart surgery.
Specifically, during my second-opinion with Dr. Chaikin, I learned that my heart valve leaflets had narrowed due to the calcification of my bicuspid aortic valve. As a result, blood flow through my heart was compromised which caused my heart to enlarge. This was a dangerous precursor to congestive heart failure. Although I was asymptomatic, I was not in good health.
Calcified Aortic Heart Valve
I also thought you might like to see a picture of a normal heart valve. That said, here are two pictures of an aortic valve and a tricuspid valve. These valves do not have any form of disease (calcification, prolapse, infection).
I hope these pictures help you visualize the difference between calcified and normal heart valves.
Keep on tickin!
About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery, a unique book which integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of an actual heart valve surgery patient. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.
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October 18th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Adam,
This is very interesting. My surgeon told me that my tricuspid aortic valve had two of the three leaves fused together, due to calcium deposits. therefore was not working properly, though I was asymptomatic save for a heart murmur. I asked what could have caused it, and he said he didn’t know (not very reassuring). I want to do everything I can to prevent fusing my new (12 weeks ago) bovine pericardium valve. Any suggestions or info would be appreciated. I am 56 and have recovered very well from the surgery, but needless to say, don’t want to do it again any time soon.
Becca
June 19th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
The Mayo Clinic several years ago started a heavy study of calcium in the wrong places of our bodies and they very much want to know if say kidney stones or dental problems are in any way linked by these nasty calcium problems. The woman running the study is Dr.
Virginia Miller and maybe you would like to check with her for more recent news. It just amazes me that every single thing wrong with me has an element of calcium involved. No one can tell me it isn’t systemic at least in my case. But still the question is WHY?