Heart Valve Leakage And Exercise
Heart valve leakage occurs due to various medical conditions. Besides, the symptoms may vary according to the occurrence of damage to any of the four valves. Heart valves play a significant role in supplying the needed blood to the overall body. At the same time, they also ensure to prevent passage of blood back into any of the chambers of the heart. If there is a leakage, the heart works extensively to create normalization for the loss of blood during, which it experiences excessive pressure. In several situations, it leads to death because of heart failure.
Symptoms of Heart Valve Leakage
Signs are visible or nonvisible. The condition of heart valve leakage is tricky. A person suffering from a heart valve may not show any symptoms until it reaches the advanced stage. In other cases, one may find signs that display a leaky heart valve, but could be the reason for different illness.
As an example, a leakage of the tricuspid valve is common among the healthy population. However, it can lead to an advanced stage if there is an increase in the pressure in the pulmonary artery.
Irrespective of the affected valve, if the situation turns severe, the individual suffers from the following symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Lightheadedness
- Chest pain
- Abnormal functionality in the heart
- Increased palpitations
- Swelling of abdomen, ankles, and feet
- Loss of consciousness
- Retention of fluid in different parts of the body.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing a leaky heart valve is possible through physical examination and diagnostic tests. Physical exam allows the doctor to listen to the heartbeat, which speaks about the abnormal functioning and fluid retention in the lungs. Diagnostic tests include:
The test results provide accurate information related to the location of the leaky valve, the damage, and its effect on the overall health. The doctor does not dive into conclusions immediately. Doctor repeatedly performs the diagnostics to oversee the progress of the condition. Depending on the results, the doctor considers opting for surgery or use medicines to lessen the pain. Surgery is not adaptable for every individual suffering from the leaky heart. The doctor considers the age of the patient, overall health, undergoing treatment, gender, and race. Combining with the results obtained from the diagnostics help in opting for the appropriate treatment.
Surgery
If surgery is helpful in treating the leaky heart valve, the doctor chooses open heart surgery or minimally invasive surgery. In both the cases, the surgeon performs repair or replacement of the valve depending on the condition of the damaged valve. Before operating, the doctor considers several aspects including the risks involved and chooses the appropriate mode.
Heart Valve Leakage Surgery And Exercise
Post-operation exercises are critical and they are essential for a patient in recovering from the surgery. The recovery period for a heart valve surgery is between 4 and 6 weeks. It becomes shorter if the person receives minimally invasive surgery. In such a case, the recovery period is faster, and the individual can return to routine life with less trauma.
Day one after the surgery includes getting up from the bed, strolling to the chair next to the bed, and performing exercises to the legs that help in strengthening the calf muscles. Day two after the surgery includes walking in the halls, eating, indulging in leg exercises to strengthen the calf muscles, and participate in routine activities such as brushing the hair and others. Day three includes walking through the halls for farther distances and increased time. Other events remain the same. Depending on the results, the doctor provides necessary instructions before discharging.
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