Heart incorporates four different valves named as pulmonic valve, tricuspid valve, aortic valve and mitral valve. These valves further consist of flaps, which open to allow flow of blood in a particular direction, as it goes through the chambers of an individual’s heart. Later on, such valves close to assure flow of blood in reverse direction within the chamber, which it left.
Each valve incorporates three different flaps, while only mitral one has only two flaps. Any of the mentioned heart valves may suffer regurgitation or become leaky. This indicates that once your heart pumps and squeezes the blood in the forward direction, some amount of blood leak in the backward direction from the valve resulting in valve regurgitation.
What is the Leaking Heart Valve Life Expectancy?
Heart valve problems such as a leaky heart valve are one of the lifelong conditions. However, a large number of people suffering from heart valve disease or defect do not show any symptom. In some cases, condition often stays same for the entire life of a person and does not create any problem. In case of other individuals, condition becomes worse slowly until and unless symptoms of the problem develop.
If you opt to keep leaking heart valve in untreated condition, advanced heart valve issues may result in heart failure or any similar type of life-threatening condition. Eventually, you require repair or replacement of your faulty heart valves. After the replacement or repair procedure, you continue to intake medicines and go for regular checkups with your cardiologist.
Ongoing Care
If you suffer from leaky heart valve problem, you should essentially schedule your appointment with your doctor to go for regular checkups, ECG i.e. echocardiography and other essential tests. These will help your doctor to keep a proper track on the progress of your regurgitation problem.
You should consult with your doctor if you find the symptoms worse or notice any new symptom. In addition, you should discuss with the doctor whether bringing changes in your lifestyle might give you any benefit associated with your cardiac health. Even you should ask about the types of physical activities, which are of safe for your health.
Especially, you should schedule appointment with a cardiologist and a dentist in case you notice symptoms related to infective endocarditis. Symptoms in this type of heart infection are chills, fever, muscles pain, breathing problems, night sweats, weakness, tiredness or fatigue, red spots on soles and palms, along with swelling in your belly, legs and feet.
Heart Valve Problem and Pregnancy
Heart valve problem in moderate or mild form at the time of pregnancy is easily manageable with complete bed rest or proper medicines. A pregnant woman should make sure to take proper care, so that the disease does not pose any heightened risk to the fetus or the mother. Doctors opt to treat a majority of heart valve condition by prescribing a few safe medicines to intake at the time of pregnancy.
Severe heart valve problems, such as leaky heart valve makes labor or pregnancy and delivery of the baby risky. In case a woman has severe form of heart valve problem, she should consider repair or replacement of heart valves before pregnancy or planning for a baby. If needed, doctors may perform either of heart valve surgery during the pregnancy. However, surgery performed during pregnancy period may pose a big danger to both the fetus and the mother.
Most of the individuals with heart valve problems do not have any symptom. However, in some people, conditions usually stay in same condition during the entire life and do not cause any other problem. For other individuals, the problem becomes worse slowly until symptoms related to it develop.
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