Valvulopathies are diseases that affect heart valves and prevent them from working properly.
The 4 valves of the heart are: tricuspid, mitral, pulmonary and aortic valves, which open and close each time the heart beats, allowing blood to flow; when these valves become damaged, two types of problems can occur:
- Acute rheumatoid arthritis can cause rheumatic valve disease.
- Which can occur due to congenital malformations of the heart valves.
- Age-related changes.
- Endocarditis.
- Or lupus.
Symptoms of heart valve disease include heart murmurs, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain or swelling. Many people have heart valve disease, but they have no symptoms or heart problems. However, in others, valvulopathy can slowly worsen throughout life. , causing serious heart problems such as heart failure, stroke, blood clots or sudden death from cardiorespiratory arrest.
The goal of treating heart valvulopathies is to reduce the progression of heart failure and prevent complications. The cardiologist is the specialist indicated to diagnose and indicate the best treatment for the individual with valvulopathy.
Aortic valve disease is a damage to the aortic valve, located on the left side of the heart, that allows blood to pass between the left ventricle and the aortic artery. Symptoms of the disease worsen over time and in the early stages palpitations and shortness of breath may occur, while in more advanced stages heart failure, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, angina and nausea may occur.
Treatment consists of rest, unsalted diet and the use of diuretic, digital and antiarrrhythmic remedies; in the most severe cases, surgery may be needed to replace the aortic valve.
Mitral valve disease is the most common and is caused by mitral valve injuries, located between the ventricle and the left atrium of the heart. The most common symptoms of this disease may include shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, nausea, palpitations and swelling of the feet and legs.
Certain medications such as diuretics, anticoagulants, antibiotics and antiarrrhythmics are indicated in the treatment of the disease because they regulate heart rate and function. Valve repair damaged by cardiac catheterization and surgical valve replacement with a prosthesis can be used as a treatment in the most severe cases.
Pulmonary valvulopathy occurs due to damage to the pulmonary valve on the right side of the heart that allows blood to pass from the heart to the lungs. This disease is less common and is usually due to congenital heart abnormalities.
Symptoms of the disease appear only in advanced stages and may include swelling of the legs, muscle fatigue, shortness of breath and episodes of heart failure. Treatment always involves surgery to treat the injury or replace the valve.
Tricuspid valvulopathy occurs in the tricuspid valve between the ventricle and the right atrium that allows blood to pass between these two places in the heart. Tricuspid valvulopathy usually occurs due to infections such as acute rheumatoid arthritis or endocarditis and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
The most common symptoms of this disease are weight gain, leg swelling, abdominal pain, fatigue and, in more advanced cases, shortness of breath, palpitations and angina; its treatment involves the use of diuretics, antibiotics and, in severe cases, surgery may be needed to repair or replace the valve.