- Special Cases
- Help Line No. 011 61406300 / 011 27907000
click to get more results...
click to get more results...
The heart consists of four chambers, two atria (upper chambers) and two ventricles (lower chambers). There is a valve through which blood passes before leaving each chamber of the heart. The valves prevent the backward flow of blood. These valves are actual flaps that are located on each end of the two ventricles (lower chambers of the heart). They act as one-way inlets of blood on one side of a ventricle and one-way outlets of blood on the other side of a ventricle. Normal valves have three flaps, except the mitral valve, which has two flaps. The four heart valves include the following:
The causes of heart valve damage vary depending on the type of disease present, and may include the following:
The mitral and aortic valves are most often affected by heart valve disease. Some of the more common heart valve diseases include:
| Heart Valve Disease | Symptoms and Causes |
| Bicuspid aortic valve | This congenital birth defect is characterized by an aortic valve that only has two flaps (a normal aortic valve has three flaps). If the valve becomes narrowed, it is more difficult for the blood to flow through, and often the blood leaks backward. Symptoms usually do not develop during childhood, but are often detected during the adult years. |
| Ebstein’s anomaly | When Ebstein’s anomaly is present, there is a downward displacement of the tricuspid valve (located between the upper and lower chambers on the right side of the heart) into the right bottom chamber of the heart (or right ventricle). This condition is usually associated with an atrial septal defect, an opening between the two upper chambers of the heart. |
| Tricuspid atresia | When tricuspid atresia is present, there is no tricuspid valve, therefore, no blood flows from the right atrium to the right ventricle. Tricuspid atresia defect is characterized by a small right ventricle, a large left ventricle or only one ventricle, diminished pulmonary circulation, and cyanosis (insufficient oxygen in the blood, which can cause the skin, gums, and lips to be pale or appear blue or gray in color). An atrial septal defect is present to allow blood to enter the circulatory system from the right side. |
| Mitral valve prolapse (also known as click-murmur syndrome, Barlow’s syndrome, balloon mitral valve, or floppy valve syndrome) | This disease is characterized by the bulging of one or both of the mitral valve flaps during the contraction of the heart. One or both of the flaps may not close properly, allowing the blood to leak backward. This may result in a mitral regurgitation murmur. |
| Mitral valve stenosis | Often caused by a past history of rheumatic fever, this condition is characterized by a narrowing of the mitral valve opening, increasing resistance to blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle. |
| Aortic valve stenosis | This type of valve disease mainly occurs in the elderly and is characterized by a narrowing of the aortic valve opening, increasing resistance to blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta. |
| Pulmonary stenosis | This condition is characterized by a pulmonary valve that does not open sufficiently, causing the right ventricle to pump harder and enlarge. |
In some cases, the only treatment for heart valve disease may be careful medical supervision. However, other treatment options may include medication, surgery to repair the valve, or surgery to replace the valve. Specific treatment will be determined by your physician based on:
Stents & Implants
Find a Doctor
Lab Reports
Health Checkup
Book an Appointment