{"id":114,"date":"2007-08-18T16:37:00","date_gmt":"2007-08-18T21:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/2007\/08\/18\/what-do-valves-in-the-heart-do\/"},"modified":"2025-07-10T08:46:42","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T13:46:42","slug":"what-do-valves-in-the-heart-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/2007\/08\/18\/what-do-valves-in-the-heart-do\/","title":{"rendered":"What Do Heart Valves Do?"},"content":{"rendered":"

I just received a great patient mail that asks, “Hi Adam, What do valves in the heart do?”<\/p>\n

Considering the complexity of the body and your heart, it’s a great question.<\/p>\n

Often times, I find that answering this question helps both heart valve surgery patients and caregivers.<\/p>\n

The answer to the question, “What do heart valves do?”, is actually pretty simple. The four valves in your heart – mitral valve, aortic valve, tricuspid valve and pulmonary valve – are used to control the flow of blood through your heart.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

When heart valves function properly, the valves help blood move in the heart in one direction. However, when there are problems with a heart valve (aortic stenosis<\/a>, mitral regurgitation<\/a>, calcified leaflets<\/a>, etc.), blood can flow backwards or blood can not freely flow through the heart.<\/p>\n

If a heart valve defect or heart valve disorder is significant, several long-term problems can occur for the patient. That is why heart valve surgery – either heart valve repair or heart valve replacement – may be required.<\/p>\n

I hope that helps answers your question of, “What do valves in the heart do?”<\/p>\n

Related Links:<\/p>\n