"Heart Valve Problems… Which Are The Most Common?" Asks Daniel
February 27th, 2009I just received a question from Daniel about the common heart valve problems that lead to valve repair and valve replacement operations.
Daniel writes, “Hi Adam – Thanks for your book and blog. I was diagnosed several months ago with pulmonary stenosis. The docs think I won’t need surgery for a few years as I am mostly asymptomatic. However, I was curious to know… Is pulmonary stenosis one of the common, heart valve problems?”
Pulmonary Stenosis – A Common Heart Valve Problem?
Surprisingly enough, Daniel’s heart valve disorder – pulmonary stenosis – is not one of the most common heart valve problems that leads to heart valve surgery.
According to my research, the heart valve problems which most-often require surgical treatment are:
- Mitral Valve Prolapse. This heart valve disorder compromises cardiac function as blood flows backward (known as regurgitation) across the mitral valve forcing the heart to work “extra-hard” to circulate blood. This is sometimes referred to as a leaky heart valve problem. Mitral valve prolapse can occur due to congenital deformity (floppy mitral leaflets), infections (endocarditis) or general wear.
- Aortic Stenosis. In this heart valve problem, the aortic valve narrows (and/or stiffens) over time to negatively impact the flow of blood through through the aortic valve. Aortic stenosis can result from congenital deformity (bicuspid aortic valve), calcified valve leaflets or infection.
Although mitral valve prolapse and aortic stenosis are the most frequent valve problems diagnosed, that does not mean – in any way – that pulmonary and tricuspid heart valve problems do not cause significant cardiac dysfunction. That said, please monitor any heart valve problem with regular visits to your cardiologist.
I hope that helped Daniel (and perhaps you) learn more about the most common heart valve problems.
Keep on tickin!
P.S. To leave a comment, please click here.
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| About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. This unique book integrates clinical research with the personal experiences of 135 former patients to help future patients and their caregivers better understand the problems, the opportunities and the realities of heart valve surgery. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here. |
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