A leaky heart valve may go unnoticed because frequently, a leaky heart valve causes no symptoms.
If a heart valve leak is severe, it can lead to symptoms such as breathlessness and cause the heart to fail. The symptoms of congestive heart failure mainly include:
- Shortness of breath of various degrees
- Leg swelling or facial puffiness
- Lightheadedness
- Increased heartbeat
- Heart palpitations
- Fatigue
What is a leaky heart valve?
There are four valves in the heart:
- Tricuspid valve
- Mitral valve
- Pulmonic valve
- Aortic valve
How is a leaky heart valve diagnosed?
A doctor usually diagnoses a leaky heart valve by
- Obtaining a detailed history.
- Clinical examination of the heart with a stethoscope for abnormal heart sounds also called heart murmur.
- Ultrasound of the heart, also called an echocardiogram.
What are the signs and symptoms of a leaky heart valve?
Many healthy people may have one or more valves that are slightly leaky, which do not cause any problems. The severity of the symptoms depends on the severity of the heart valve leak.
If heart valve leak is severe, it can affect the flow of blood through the heart causing the symptoms of congestive heart failure, which include:
- Shortness of breath
- Leg swelling or puffiness over the face
- Failure to thrive (children)
- Giddiness
- Increased heartbeat
- Heart palpitations
- Fatigue
What causes leaky heart valves?
The causes of leaky heart valves vary with each heart valve.
Causes of a leaky aortic valve include:
- The congenital bicuspid aortic valve, in which there are two flaps instead of three. It is present from birth
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Endocarditis (infection of the heart valve)
- Marfan’s syndrome
- Rheumatic heart disease, a complication of rheumatic fever
Causes of a leaky mitral valve include:
- Mitral valve prolapse (congenital floppy valve)
- Cardiomyopathy (an enlarged heart)
- Hypertension
- Endocarditis
- Rheumatic heart disease
Causes of a leaky tricuspid valve:
Many healthy adults may have a slightly leaky tricuspid valve, which usually causes no problems and often does not require treatment or follow-up. One of the main causes of tricuspid valve leak is pulmonary hypertension.
How is leaky heart valve treated?
For mild heart valve leakage, treatment is usually not required. The doctor may suggest observation and follow-up. Patients who are symptomatic may be prescribed medication. Heart surgery to repair or replace the leaky valve may be advised for severe leakage or regurgitation. All patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic leaky heart valves would be advised lifestyle modifications, which would be beneficial to the heart and overall health.
Lifestyle modifications include:
- Regular exercise such as walking or yoga; before engaging in rigorous exercise or sports, it is advised to consult a doctor
- Avoiding smoking
- Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption
- Avoiding recreational drugs
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet
- Maintaining healthy body weight (body mass index [BMI] below 25)
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References
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-valve-problems-and-disease/heart-valve-problems-and-causes/problem-heart-valve-regurgitation
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