Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Heart valves are responsible for the proper flow of blood through the heart. The valves close and open continuously 24 hours a day, pumping blood to the lungs and to the rest of the body. It is thanks to their work that the heart functions properly. How are valves constructed and what are the most common heart valve diseases?
Heart valves – what are heart valves?
Heart valves (Latin valvae cordis) are membranous partitions in the heart. There are four valves in the human heart: two venous (atrioventricular) and two arterial valves (aortic and pulmonary). We distinguish the valve: mitral and tricuspid. The heart valves work by opening and closing when they contract and relax, allowing blood to flow from the heart to the lungs and to the rest of the body.
Heart valves – what does the heart valves work?
The valves are made of connective tissue. They are made of movable petals and a ring on which the petals are situated. The valve in the right ventricle has three leaflets (tricuspid valve) and the valve in the left ventricle has two leaflets (mitral valve). The valves are located between the heart chambers and the main vessels. The human heart has four valves.
The aortic valve is located in the left ventricle, at the mouth of the aorta. The pulmonary valve is located in the right ventricle, in the mouth of the pulmonary trunk. The tricuspid valve is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle. There is a mitral valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle. The valves work to the rhythm of the heart’s contractions and contractions, pumping blood and keeping it from flowing back. During ventricular contraction, the atrioventricular valves close, cutting off the flow of blood to the arterial trunks. Thus, blood is pumped into the atria. During diastole, on the other hand, the atrioventricular valves open, causing blood to flow from the atria. Thanks to this mechanism, blood flows continuously in one direction.
Heart valves – what are the defects of heart valves?
The valves are not free from defects and diseases. We distinguish congenital and acquired diseases of the heart valves.
Congenital valve defects refer to their abnormal structure, e.g. incorrect shape and incorrect position in relation to each other or the heart chambers, incorrect number of leaflets. Some disadvantages become apparent already in childhood, others only in adulthood.
Acquired defects are usually a complication after diseases:
- rheumatic,
- ischemic heart disease,
- heart attack,
- infective endocarditis,
- hypertension,
- connective tissue diseases,
- aortic dilatation or dissection,
- as a result of injuries,
- as a side effect of certain medications.
Find out what is characterized by a prolapse of the mitral heart valve
Heart valves – what is a heart valve defect?
Heart valve defects include two problems:
- narrowing (stenosis) – the valve does not open fully, obstructing blood flow.
- valve regurgitation – the valve leaflets fail to close, causing leakage and blood flow in the opposite direction.
There are also complex defects, which include both valve stenosis and regurgitation.
Heart valves – what are the symptoms of a sick valve?
The symptoms of valve defects include:
- getting tired quickly,
- shortness of breath
- dizziness,
- fainting,
- palpitations,
- pain in the chest,
- fainting.
If you want to check your heart and its functioning, buy the package Heart control – blood tests at Medonet Market, which checks the most important parameters of the heart. Such examinations should be carried out prophylactically once a year.
Heart valves – treatment of heart valve defects
Each case of abnormal heart function should be consulted with a doctor who will order detailed tests. The basic examination is an EKG of the heart.
Valve defects are treated surgically. In most patients, it is enough to surgically correct the defective shape of the valve leaflets (valvuloplasty) or its annulus (annuloplasty). If the valve defect is more severe, a new, artificial valve is implanted. There are two types of artificial valves: mechanical and biological.
Mechanical valves are made of metal alloys and pyrolytic carbon and operate indefinitely. Biological valves are made of animal tissue and last about 10 years. After this time, it is necessary to replace it with another one.
After valve implantation, the patient takes blood-thinning medications and regularly performs blood clotting tests. It can even do this at home. All you need to do is to obtain a suitable device, eg Blood coagulation monitor – INR QLabs® Q1 PL measuring device available at a promotional price on Medonet Market.
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website.