Types of Valvular Heart Disease

There are four main types of valve disease: congenital valvular heart disease, bicuspid aortic valve disease, valvular regurgitation and stenosis. Each of these conditions is different and can cause severe symptoms if left untreated.

Congenital valvular heart disease occurs when the wrong size or shape of one of the heart's four valves develops during birth. This type of valvular disease may involve problems with aortic, pulmonic or mitral valves. Valves may also be malformed or have valve flaps (leaflets) that don't attach properly to the heart.





fall activated medical alert Bicuspid aortic valve disease This condition affects the aortic (top) valve, which has three leaflets or cusps. This defect may lead to aortic valve stenosis and can also cause valve regurgitation.

Acquired valvular heart disease is caused by changes in the structure of the valve, such as a stiffening, thickening or fusing together of the valve flaps. personal alarms nz This condition can occur when the valves were malformed before birth or as a result of certain infections, such as rheumatic fever.

Treatments for valvular heart disease vary depending on the severity of the condition and its impact on your overall health. Your doctor will decide on a course of treatment that will include medications to control the symptoms and prevent complications from the condition.

In some cases, a non-surgical procedure called balloon valvuloplasty may be used to treat narrowed pulmonary and aortic valves. This is less invasive than surgical repair or replacement and can be very effective.