Ways To Manage And Treat Heart Valve Disease
Heart valve problems are long-term or lifelong issues with the valves of the heart, and they may be present at birth or develop due to the natural aging process. The three major types of heart valve issues are atresia, regurgitation, and stenosis. Atresia refers to the complete absence of a particular heart valve, and regurgitation involves leaky valves that do not close properly. In stenosis, valves are hardened and cannot open properly to allow blood to pass through them. The heart has four valves: aortic, pulmonary, mitral, and tricuspid. Heart valve disorders can affect one or more valves. A diagnosis of heart valve disease begins with a medical history and a physical examination using a stethoscope. Extra tests such as electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, stress tests, MRI scans, and chest x-rays are needed for a complete diagnosis. Treatment is usually carried out by cardiologists. Cardiologists may recommend the lifestyle modifications and surgeries outlined below for their heart valve disease patients.