To learn more about heart valve disease please visit the website Heart Disease by clicking here.
The majority of those who suffer from heart valve disease are born with it. It is mostly a congenital condition for people born with a narrow heart valve, leaky valves, valve flaps that are the wrong size or are to stiff. Many people are diagnosed with valvular heart disease when they are born. During their many baby well checks their pediatrician hears the tell-tell murmur that denotes a problem with the heart. For others they may not become aware of their condition until later during their life. There are also people who may never know they have this disease until it is to late when the only symptom is a sudden fatal heart attack.
While there are many people who are born with heart valve disease there are those who get this form of cardiovascular disease from some other disease or condition such as infective endocarditis, rheumatic heart disease, or even a heart attack. Children who are more susceptible to strep throat run a higher risk of rheumatic fever which can cause rheumatic heart disease and damage to the heart valves as they become adults.
Bacterial infections and endocarditis of the heart can also cause valve damage. These infections can be a result of medical procedures such as a surgery or dental work where bacteria are able to enter the body. The hearts valve leaflets are scarred by such an infection which can lead to heart valve regurgitation, which is a backflow of blood back through the valve.
Heart valve disease can be identified and diagnosed with the following tests:
1. Echocardiogram – This test is used routinely to diagnose valvular disease. Thickened valve leaflets, vegetations or growths on valve leaflets, myocardial function, and chamber size can be determined, and pressure gradients across valves and pulmonary artery pressures can be estimated. Either transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography may be used.
2. Chest X-ray – This can identify cardiac hypertrophy, chamber and great vessel enlargement, and dilation of the pulmonary vasculature. Calcification of the valve leaflets and annular openings may also be visible.
3. Electrocardiography - Can demonstrate atrial and ventricular hypertrophy, conduction defects, and dysrhythmias associated with valvular disease.
4. Cardiac catheterization – Is used to assess contractility and to determine the pressure gradients across the heart valves, in the heart chambers, and in the pulmonary system.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
Advantages of Natural Heartburn Remedies over Conventional Medication
By: Jim Rees | 05/01/2010The usual treatment for heartburn attacks is to take an antacid or drug based medication such as H2 blockers or Proton Pump Inhibitors. However, the relief gained is only temporary and there is always the problem of the harmful side effects that drug based medication often produces. So this article explores the important advantages that natural heartburn remedies offer with the prospect of eliminating the problem permanently.
A Call to Revolutionize Chronic Pain
By: Chrisanne Sternal | 05/01/2010Recently a report came out from the May Day Fund calling for chronic pain to be addressed in healthcare reform and better training of doctors on treating it because it’s estimated that one out of every four Americans suffers from chronic pain. This ranges from headaches to back pain to joint pain.
Cancer, Ovarian
By: frank diaz | 05/01/2010Ovaian cancer is thought to stem from genetic mistakes that occur as cells divide to repair the ovary after it ruptures to release an egg.
Pulsatile Tinnitus Causes and Treatments
By: Ritu Raj Mishra | 05/01/2010Pulsatile tinnitus may get triggered by any condition which increases blood flow. This condition calls for an immediate examination because it may result due to a gloms or a globe shaped tumor or an equally serious underlying cause. This article aims to arm the reader with useful info which may help them grasp this condition better.
Natural Heartburn Remedies - Homeopathic Remedies to Get Rid of Heartburn
By: Jim Rees | 05/01/2010Interest in alternative, all-natural treatments and remedies is growing considerably, mainly due to concern about the well documented adverse side effects drug based medication produces. So, large numbers of heartburn sufferers are turning to natural heartburn remedies and treatments as a safer option. Homeopathic remedies in particular are very popular as they treat all the factors that cause the problem unlike conventional medications which simply address the symptoms.
Whiten Sensitive Teeth - How to Improve Your Smile And Whiten Sensitive Teeth
By: jamie mcintyre | 05/01/2010When you look in the mirror, you want to see a big bright smile staring back. But sadly, items like coffee, wine and cigarettes make those white teeth disappear. Discover how to whiten sensitive teeth.
Assisted reproduction: Evolution
By: pateluday | 05/01/2010An article on assisted conception
Family survives carbon monoxide scare
By: M4rtinroche | 05/01/2010An Irving family escaped with their lives after being exposed to Carbon Monoxide in their home. The Adam family had just moved into their house according to Fox 4 News. The house was equipped with a carbon monoxide detector and the alarm was going off on that detector. The family thought the battery was low and that that was the reason the alarm was beeping.
Manufactured Home Financing and Mortgages
By: Andrew Bicknell | 04/01/2010 | MortgageFinancing a manufactured home can be confusing to the first time home buyer. The most common questions asked during this time are; how do I find the best loan and is it necessary to pre-qualify? Answering these two questions will help move the process along and give the home buyer the information they need to make an informed buying decision.
Advantages of a Manufactured Home Home Equity Loan
By: Andrew Bicknell | 03/01/2010 | LoansOften referred to as a second mortgage a manufactured home home equity loan gives the homeowner the option of borrowing money against the equity they have built up into their home. These types of loans allow the homeowner to borrow up to $100,000 and deduct the interest paid on their yearly tax returns.
Washing Your Hair the Right Way
By: Andrew Bicknell | 01/01/2010 | HairIf you are like most women you tend to treat your hair as a second hand citizen. You tug at it with your hair brush, pull and yank at knots and tangles, put it in pony tails with plain elastic bands, chew on it, stick pens and pencils in it; it’s no wonder it doesn’t always look its best.
Choosing the Curling Iron that Works Best for You
By: Andrew Bicknell | 30/12/2009 | HairFor the woman who wants to look her best choosing the right tools is the first step in the process. Makeup needs to work with her complexion bringing out her natural beauty. The right type of clothes that flatter her figure and a hairstyle that pulls it all together. Shampoo, conditioner, gels, and mousse to maintain her hairs health and style also need to be considered. A good blow dryer and curling iron are also needed to give her hair the style she wants
Using Background Checks to Verify Resumes of Potential Employees
By: Andrew Bicknell | 27/12/2009 | National, State, LocalFor the small business owner, hiring manager or human resources personnel manager screening resumes of potential employees is a hard task when you consider the following statistics; studies have found that 75 percent of resumes have been falsified in some way and 89 percent are fully misleading in the information they provide.
Online Public Records Criminal Background Checks
By: Andrew Bicknell | 26/12/2009 | National, State, LocalThere are a number of reasons people choose to do a criminal background check by doing a public records search. In this day and age keeping your self, your family, and your business safe from undesirable people is very important. You can check on that new neighbor or look into the background of a potential new employee before you hire them only to find out they have a court record.
What you’ll find on A Texas Criminal Record Background Check
By: Andrew Bicknell | 23/12/2009 | National, State, LocalDoing a Texas criminal record background check will bring up quite a bit of information on an individual if he or she has some form of conviction or non-conviction. This information is gathered from a wide variety of sources including the Texas Department of Corrections, county court houses, state and federal court records, sex offender records, and parole information. There are literally hundreds of thousands of criminal records available not only state wide but across the entire nation as well.