Valvular regurgitation: What You Need to Know
Valvular regurgitation is when blood flows backward through the chambers of your heart. It can be mild and not cause symptoms, or it can be life threatening.
Your heart is a muscular organ that contains four chambers. Blood flows between these chambers and your lungs in a set pattern to distribute oxygen-containing blood to every organ in your body. Your heart also contains four valves that control blood flow through its chambers.
Valvular regurgitation occurs when blood moves backward through one of these valves. The severity depends largely on the amount of blood that backflows and whether or not it is causing symptoms or other problems.
Minor cases might not cause symptoms, whereas more severe cases may lead to issues such as shortness of breath or heartbeat abnormalities.
Read on to learn more about valvular regurgitation, including types, potential symptoms, and causes.
Types of valvular regurgitation
Valvular regurgitation is named after the valve through which blood backflows through. Types include:
Tricuspid valve regurgitation: Your tricuspid valve is found between your right atrium and right ventricle. Tricuspid valve regurgitation is characterized by the backflow of blood into your right atrium.
Pulmonary valve regurgitation: Your pulmonary valve separates your right ventricle from the blood vessels supplying your lungs. Regurgitation can cause blood to flow back into your right ventricle from these blood vessels.
Mitral valve regurgitation: Your mitral valve is found between your left atrium and left ventricle. Mitral valve regurgitation is characterized by the backflow of blood into your left atrium.
Aortic valve regurgitation: The aortic valve is found between your left ventricle and your aorta, the large blood vessel that carries blood away from your heart. Aortic valve regurgitation causes blood to flow back into your left ventricle from your aorta.
The most common type is mitral valvular regurgitation.
What are the symptoms of valvular regurgitation?
Symptoms of valvular regurgitation can range from non-apparent to severe. If your condition is caused by another condition, such as heart failure, your symptoms may get progressively worse over time.
Symptoms may include:
irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
shortness of breath, which might be worse when lying flat
new or worsening heart palpitations, which can cause heart:
pounding
fluttering
whooshing
swelling around your feet or ankles
coughing
feeling faint
fatigue
chest pain
It's important to see your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. Severe cases can lead to complications such as:
heart failure
arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm)
sudden cardiac arrest
blood clots
stroke
pulmonary hypertension
What are the causes of valvular regurgitation?
Valvular regurgitation can develop due to congenital heart problems present from birth or develop secondary to other conditions affecting your heart.
Tricuspid valve regurgitation: In adults, tricuspid regurgitation is usually secondary to other heart problems, such as cardiomyopathies. Cardiomyopathy is a disease of your heart muscle, and coronary artery disease is when plaque builds up in the blood vessels in your heart and restricts blood flow.
Pulmonary valve regurgitation: The leading causes of pulmonary valve regurgitation in adults are pulmonary hypertension or congenital heart defects. Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the blood vessels connecting your heart and lungs.
Mitral valve regurgitation: Primary mitral valve regurgitation can develop due to congenital heart defects, infections, and complications such as rheumatic heart disease, or connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome or lupus. Secondary mitral valve regurgitation can develop due to conditions such as congestive heart failure or atrial fibrillation.
Aortic valve disease: The two most common causes of aortic regurgitation are dilated aorta and bicuspid aortic valve. Calcified aortic stenosis is when your aortic valve thickens and narrows due to calcium buildup.
How is valvular regurgitation treated?
The treatment for valvular regurgitation depends on the underlying cause and severity. Mild cases might not need any treatment, but your doctor may still want to follow up regularly to ensure your condition doesn't progress.
More severe cases may require medications or surgery to prevent and manage complications and symptoms.
Medications
Doctors may prescribe people with valvular heart disease many types of medications, such as the following:
angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers to open your blood vessels
anti-arrhythmic medications to restore your heart rhythm
antibiotics to prevent infections
anticoagulants to reduce the risk of blood clots
beta-blockers to help your heart beat slower
diuretics to reduce the amount of fluid in your body
vasodilators to reduce your heart's workload
Surgery
Severe cases of valvular regurgitation may require valve repair or valve replacement. These procedures may be performed through open-heart surgery or minimally invasive procedures, where your surgeon makes the repair or replacement through a small incision and special tools.
These noninvasive procedures are catheter-based therapies. A cardiologist inserts the catheter into the blood vessels to reach the heart.
Learn more about valve replacement surgery.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some frequently asked questions people have about valve regurgitation.
What is meant by valve regurgitation?
Valvular regurgitation is when a valve in your heart doesn't close completely, and blood flows backward into one of the chambers of your heart. It can also occur if blood flows back from the blood vessels leaving the heart, such as the aorta or pulmonary artery, back into the heart.
Valvular regurgitation is when a valve in your heart doesn't close completely, and blood flows backward into one of the chambers of your heart. It can also occur if blood flows back from the blood vessels leaving the heart, such as the aorta or pulmonary artery, back into the heart.
What is the life expectancy of a person with valvular regurgitation?
The life expectancy for people with valvular regurgitation depends on factors such as the severity and other medical conditions.
The life expectancy for people with valvular regurgitation depends on factors such as the severity and other medical conditions.
How serious is valve regurgitation?
If valve regurgitation is left untreated, it can be a serious problem, potentially leading to heart failure. It's important to seek medical attention if you suspect you may have heart valve regurgitation and follow up with any recommended treatment plans and tests.
If valve regurgitation is left untreated, it can be a serious problem, potentially leading to heart failure. It's important to seek medical attention if you suspect you may have heart valve regurgitation and follow up with any recommended treatment plans and tests.
Takeaway
Valvular regurgitation is the backflow of blood through one of the valves in your heart. Mild cases might not be of concern or cause symptoms. More severe cases can cause serious symptoms that may be life threatening.
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