Is Heart Valve Disease Fatal?
Heart valve problem or disease indicates any among the severe cardiac conditions, which prevent one, two or more number of valves in one’s heart to perform its functions in an adequate way to facilitate blood circulation in a proper way.
If you opt to left it in untreated condition, heart valve problem may reduce the life quality and make it life threatening and fatal. In most of the cases, heart valves involve surgical replacement and/or repair to restore the normal functions and thereby, allow returning to regular activities.
Risks and Fatal Conditions Related to Heart Valve Problems
Valvular problems or heart valve problems has recently become a major problem because of the increase in the individual’s life expectancy. Major risks related to the problem are-
Valve Problems and People’s Age
Heart valve problems have become common among a large number of old age people. However, improved quality of healthcare and general medical care as well as improved attention associated with disease prevention, people have started living longer. Because of this, heart valve problem has become a common disease. With the increase in age, heart valves becomes lined with the deposition of calcium, which cause flaps of the heart valve to thick and become stiff.
Valve Problems and Other Health Conditions
People suffering from rheumatic fever or infective endocarditis remain at higher risk related to heart valve disease. Cardiac problems, such as heart failure, heart attack, previous heart valve conditions or arrhythmia from birth may even increase the likelihood to develop valve problems. Moreover, survivors associated with childhood cancer suffering from mediastinal radiation therapy for the cancer have increased prevalence associated with heart valve problem later in their lives.
Heart Valve Disease and Health Problems
Most of the individuals live long as well as healthy lives and do not realize they have minor/mild heart valve problems. However, valve problem may increase the risk related to sudden death of a person or result in rapid development of various problems seriously in and across the heart, which become fatal without proper treatment.
People undergo diagnose with murmur sound of heart or a defect similar to any bicuspid aortic valve or any mild type of valve problem should make sure to schedule appointment with a cardiologist regularly and stay fully aware about possible symptoms before they start to become worse.
What to Do in Case of Surgery?
If you require surgery for repair or replacement of your valve, you may require antibiotics before your dental procedures to provide protection against endocarditis. In addition, you should make sure about discussing about your specific risk and get the necessary recommendations from your doctor.
Aging individuals should essentially stay aware about changes, which may take place on a gradual manner. Not each of the stamina or energy declines has close relationship with the regular problems of increasing age. Whenever your heart fails oxygen rich blood in adequate amount to your body, it gives symptoms. Breathing shortness, fatigue, discomfort, chest pain and lightheadedness indicate treatable problems associated with one’s heart.
Prevention of Fatal Heart Valve Disease
Each patient deals with fatal heart valve disease should discuss about it with the doctor about the improved risk related to suffering infective endocarditis. The infection in fact cause a big damage or severe destroy of heart valves and makes the problem fatal. Even though, you undergo with valve repair or replacement surgery, you remain at a huge risk. Thus, with the aim to avoid fatal condition associated with endocarditis, it is essential for you to-
- Intimate the cardiac surgeon/doctor and dentist about your valve problems
- Consult with your doctor immediately in case you identify any symptom associated with infection
- Take the necessary antibiotics before going for any dental procedure, invasive test, minor or major surgical procedure
- Take proper care of your gums and teeth.
Also Read:
