Causes Of Valvular Heart Disease

Written by admin on January 23, 2010 – 12:06 pm -

This article is written to remove some of the mystery regarding valvular heart disease. It is necessarily somewhat complex but it should be easier to understand than most medical information that you might receive.


Valvular heart disease or valve disease can even be present at birth (congenital) or it can develop at any period of time throughout a persons life span. There are times when the exact valvular heart disease caauses cannot be discovered. Valvular heart disease is broken down into congenital valve disease, bicuspid aortic valve disease, acquired valve disease and mitral valve prolapse (MVP).


When valve disease is present at birth, it is referred to as congenital valve disease. This type generally affects the pulmonic valve or the aortic valve. Sometimes the valves are simply not the correct size or else the leaflets have not formed properly.


Bicuspid aortic valve disease is congenital as well and in this case the bicuspid aortic valve has two cusps or leaflets instead of the three it is supposed to have. This can cause the valve to be stiff, leaky or both.


Acquired valve disease is any problem that happens as a result of once normal valves. Sometimes the makeup of valves change as a result of infections or diseases. Rheumatic fever causes the heart valve to become red and inflamed and the leaflets to cling together. This then leads to the heart valves becoming unnecessarily thickened, shortened, rigid and scarred. This can then lead to mitral regurgitation. Rheumatic fever often occurs as a result of a bacterial infection, one of the most common being strep throat. However the vast array of antibiotics that are available today have greatly reduced the incidence of this infection.


Another disease that can cause acquired valve disease is endocarditis. This disease happens when bacteria and germs make their way into the bloodstream and then begin to invade the valves of the heart. This attack causes growths to begin in the heart valves as well as holes to take place. This can then lead to scarring of the heart valves. Leaky valves end up being the result of all of this. Germs that cause endocarditis can come about as a result of surgery, IV drug use, dental surgery and/or serious types of infections. Anyone who suffers from valve disease (excluding those who have mitral valve prolapse) is at a terrible risk of getting endocarditis, which can be fatal if not treated immediately.


Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is very widespread and affects on average one to two percent of the American population on an annual basis. This disorder causes the mitral valve leaflets to fall back into the left atrium while the heart is contracting. MVP also makes the valve tissues become strange in shape and they become stretchy and cause seepage. It is rare for MVP to bring on any symptoms at all with a patient and most of the time it does not necessitate any kind of special medical treatment.


The above diseases and disorders are the most common causes of MVP but there are other causes as well. A visit to the doctor and a variety of tests should help pinpoint the exact cause of valve disease if you are diagnosed with it. Other causes include coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy (or heart muscle disease), heart attack, hypertension, aortic aneurysms, connective tissue diseases, and sexually transmitted disease (the most common being syphilis). There are also less common reasons for valve disease such as tumors, radiation and an assortment of drug treatments.

Verlyn Ross owns and operates a website dedicated specifically to providing health and fitness information. It includes a wealth of articles in which you may have an interest. I invite you to freely explore my website.

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The Causes And Symptoms Of Heart Valve Disease

Written by admin on January 12, 2010 – 4:23 am -

As you may recall from high school health class, the heart is one of the strongest muscles in the human body. In addition, it is divided in two halves, named the atrium and the ventricle chambers. Between the two chambers are a set of valves that ensure that the blood only flows in one direction. Occasionally, these valves can be damaged and the individual could suffer from some sort of heart valve disease. If left unchecked, heart valve disease can lead to heart failure or even death.


Signs and Symptoms of Heart Valve Disease


It is truly difficult to decide if a set of symptoms are a sign of heart valve disease, since many and various of them are so mild and can be attributed to a passel of varying conditions including asthma, heartburn, heart attack, or sometimes even pregnancy. The best thing to do is have a long conversation with your medical professional concerning your thoughts and physical symptoms. Dependent on that complete picture, they will be able to diagnose your situation professionally.


Heart valve disease is a serious condition, and on no account should it be self-diagnosed. However, there are a few commonplace symptoms of heart valve disease that if you notice on a regular basis you must keep watch out for. If you experience dizzy spells or faintness brought on by physical activity, shortness of breath, or chest pains whilst doing physical exertion it is inevitably something to bring up to with your physician as soon as reasonable.


Some Causes of Heart Valve Disease


Commonly heart valve disease is caused by a malformation of the valves that separate the two chambers of the heart. These deformities can contain narrowed valves, and leaking valves. Narrowed valves that can contribute to valve heart disease can be caused by a variety of things, some unpreventable, others that can be prevented. One source of this condition is congenital abnormality, a position that is usually evident since birth. Another source, one that can be prevented through diet, exercises and maybe medications is degeneration of the valve through atherosclerosis, or hardening of the blood vessels. In addition heart valve disease can also be caused by damage from rheumatic fever or extensive calcification that sometimes begins in old age.


Leaking valves that can lead to heart valve disease can be caused by a variety of additional elements. These include such things as a bacterial infection, or other inflammation of the valves, excessive floppiness of the valve leaflets, or even enlargement of the heart or aorta. Any or all of these things can be the cause of leaking valves, and as a result heart valve disease.


Most certainly, heart valve disease is nothing to be casual about. Although it doesn’t always create a life and death situation, it can contribute to major complications with the heart, which is something that no individual in their correct mind would ever choose. The best course of action, as in any medical situation, is to talk to your family doctor and be honest with him or her. Together you ought to be able to recognize a potential case of heart valve disease and build the important course changes.

Mark has suffered with a congestive heart problem since 1994 and is now severely disabled. He now maintains a website for anyone who wants information on congestive heart problems.
More informative articles on Heart Disease are available here

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Causes of Heart Attacks, Heart Attacks Symptoms

Written by admin on November 21, 2009 – 10:27 am -

Heart attacks are the leading killers of both men and women in the United States. Today, fortunately, there are a number of treatments for heart attacks that can both save lives and prevent disabilities. Treatment is most effective when it is started within one hour of the beginning of symptoms. The minute symptoms of a heart attack occur or a person suspects a heart attack, it is important to dial 911 immediately.

Heart attacks seem to be sudden, but that’s not the truth. Signs and symptoms of a heart attack need to be recognized. These help in quick medical attention, as well as saving lives.

Heart attacks are emergency situations that require the immediate attention of medical services. As a first step in treatment, you need to stop the palpitation of the heart and transport the patient by ambulance to the nearest hospital. This vastly increases the chances of survival.

Major heart attack risk factors include a history of angina or vascular disease, a previous stroke or heart attack, old age, excessive alcohol, the abuse of illegal drugs, smoking, episodes of abnormal heart beat, obesity, high levels of stress, high or low cholesterol, high triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Heart attacks and medicines almost always appear in the same sentence. There are medicines to avoid and prevent heart attacks. This is brought to us by the technological advancement that man has achieved over the years. Although, some medicines before where proven to have negative effects when taken by a person with a heart condition, doctors try to warn their patients about them. Some medicines even cause heart complications.

Since heart attacks are the leading causes of death worldwide, knowing the signs could mean the difference between life and death. Contrary to some belief, heart attacks do not always have to be a “chest-grabbing” incident. Many people experiencing a heart attack actually thought it was just heart burn or chest muscle pains. And it doesn’t even have to be a one-time discomfort. You can experience recurring symptoms, which may feel mild one day and the next day severe, before an actual heart attack happens. So before you put yourself or your loved ones in serious dangers, here are some heart attack signs to look for.

People with a history of stroke, atherosclerotic heart disease or angina and abnormal heart rhythm have a higher risk of experiencing a heart attack. The disease mostly affects men over 40 years old and women over 50 years old. There are also medical and scientific studies stating that women who use contraceptive pills have a higher risk of a heart attack than those who does not use them. A person’s lifestyle can also increase chances of a heart attack. Smoking, drinking, drug abuse, presence of high triglyceride levels in the food you eat, high LDL levels and low HDL levels are some of the risk factors you should learn to avoid.

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