• Valvular Heart Disease

    Valvular Heart Disease

    If the valves in your heart don't open and close properly, it can interfere with the heart's ability to pump blood. People are either born with valvular heart disease, or it can be caused later in life by infections, heart disease, and heart attack. Depending on the severity, your doctor may recommend medicines, a minimally invasive procedure, or surgery to repair or replace the valve.

  • Heart and Vascular Disease

    Aortic Stenosis – Adult Congenital Heart Disease

    Aortic stenosis is a form of congenital heart disease in which the valve in the heart that allows blood to flow to the body is narrowed. Read on for information about the characteristics of the defect at birth and the treatment and follow-up care that is necessary into adulthood.

    Endocarditis

    Endocarditis, or infective endocarditis, occurs when the inner lining of the heart (the endocardium) or the heart’s valves become infected by bacteria or other germs. The bacteria that cause endocarditis typically spread through the bloodstream from the mouth, from infected foreign bodies such as needles, or from another part of the body to the heart.

    What is Cardiovascular Disease?

    Cardiovascular disease refers to a broad range of diseases that cause narrowing of the blood vessels or weaken the artery walls, resulting in disruptions in efficient blood flow. Included under the broad umbrella of cardiovascular disease are coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, peripheral artery disease (PAD), renal (kidney) artery disease, heart failure and high blood pressure. While these conditions may affect different parts of the body, they often share the same underlying cause: atherosclerosis (pronounced ath-row-sklee-rosis), or “hardening” of the arteries.

    On the Horizon of Heart Valve Problem Treatment

    New treatments for heart valve problems are always being developed. Several promising treatments are currently in the investigational stage but have not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

    Lifestyle Changes for Patients with Heart Valve Problems

    Perhaps you were diagnosed with a heart valve problem but your physician said it was not severe and he or she recommended monitoring its progress over more aggressive treatment. Or perhaps you recently underwent valvuloplasty or valve replacement or repair. In either case, there are actions you can take in your daily life to minimize future heart valve problems. Your physician can help you develop a plan for staying well that is tailored to your condition.

    Causes of Heart Valve Problems

    Causes of congenital heart valve problems are still unknown, because these valve problems form before birth. Acquired heart valve disease may be caused by a number of factors. Some of these factors are a natural outcome of aging, have hereditary elements, or can be managed with prevention. In all cases, regular checkups with your physician can help you maintain your heart valve health.

    Symptoms of Heart Valve Problems

    If you have heart valve disease, you may have no warning signs. Additionally, heart valve symptoms are not a reliable indicator of how serious your condition may be. You may have no symptoms but need prompt treatment. Or you may have severe symptoms, but your valve problem may be minor.

    Aortic Stenosis – Adult Congenital Heart Disease

    Aortic stenosis is a form of congenital heart disease in which the valve in the heart that allows blood to flow to the body is narrowed. Read on for information about the characteristics of the defect at birth and the treatment and follow-up care that is necessary into adulthood.

  • Treatment and Prevention

    Heart Valve Repair via Catheter and With Less Invasive Surgical Techniques

    Most heart valve problems involve either the aortic valve or mitral valve. Most often, diseased valves either allow blood to leak backwards into a heart chamber or a blood vessel, or they become narrow and restrict blood flow. In some cases, valves can be repaired; in other cases, they need to be replaced. Traditionally, if the patient is healthy enough, a diseased heart valve has been repaired or replaced using open-heart surgery.

    Treatments for Coronary Artery Disease

    The first step in the process of diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease is a visit with your doctor to describe and discuss your symptoms, including their impact on your daily activities, how long you have noticed them and how often they occur and under what conditions.

  • Tests and Diagnostics

    Diagnosing Heart Valve Problems

    Your family doctor or internist may be the first to suspect that you have a condition affecting the valves that regulate blood flow in your heart. If so, he or she will refer you to a cardiologist, a medical doctor who specializes in heart disease and treatment. The cardiologist will perform a physical examination and order tests to determine if you have heart valve disease.