HEART VALVE DISEASE

Heart Valve Disease By Tassiko Ederer

Science 7 - Block 3

February 8, 2009

How does this condition occur?

Before people were given antibiotics, rheumatic fever was the biggest cause of valve disease. Now a days the reasons for this disease is the weakening of a valve which is caused by the energy changes in the body. The reason mostly happens in old people, and affects their mitral valve. Another reason for the disease is a calcium build-up on the mitral or aortic valves. This makes the valves thicken. This reason is called calcific degeneration. Another reason for this disease is an irregularly shaped aortic valve, or a narrowed mitral valve. This is a congenital defect, which means that some one was born with the disease. Another reason for this disease is an infection in the lining of the hearts walls and valves. This reason is called endocarditis. Two last reasons for this disease are having a heart attack or getting coronary artery disease.

What are the symptoms?

Sometimes people don't have symptoms. But this depends on the person and how severe the disease is. If a person has valve disease, the diseases symptoms might go on for many years. Throughout these years the person with the disease could develop congestive heart failure, this could lead to heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy), irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia), and then blood clots.

What parts of the heart does it affect?

Valve disease affects the hearts lining and the hearts walls. It also affects the valve, and the valves tissue. It is important for the valves to work because they keep the blood from flowing backwards. If blood flows backwards then not enough blood gets to the different parts in the body, and you will slowly die.

What are some diagnostic tests?

Some diagnostic tests are having a chest x-ray, which shows if your heart has enlarged. If your heart has enlarged it means that a valve is not working properly. You can also have a picture taken of your heart showing the thickness of its walls, your valves shape and action, and the size of your valves openings. This test is called echocardiography. Another test is electrocardiography (EKG or ECG). This test is used to find out if your atria or ventricles are enlarged. ECG can also be used to find out if you have an irregular heartbeat.

What are the treatments for this condition?

If you don't get symptoms you do not always need treatments. Other people who do well with medicines ease the pain but do not necessarily cure the disease. Surgery may be needed if the condition gets worse. Surgery is needed because the help of medicine does not help anything any more.

http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/HIC/Topics/Cond/