v like valves of the heart

V as in Valves of the Heart

Valves of the Heart

The schematic diagram below illustrates the four valves of the heart and how they are oriented within the heart.  The heart valves in reality are not in this simplified orientation, but the diagram serves to show the valves and their relationship to each other.

The heart is generally thought of as having a right and left side.  In reality, the heart is one organ and not divided into two separate organs.  The heart is made up of four chambers, two on the right and two on the left.  The chambers are known as atria and ventricles.  Each side of the heart is composed of one atrium and one ventricle.  The atria are the receiving chambers of the heart, receiving blood flowing back to the heart.  The ventricles are the chambers of the heart that pump the blood out of the heart.

The valves of the heart are located within the chambers of the heart and are critical to the proper flow of blood through the heart.  All of the valves, when functioning normally, act as one-way valves, allowing blood to flow either from one chamber to another, or allowing blood to flow out of the heart, in only one direction.  The valves control the flow of blood through the heart by opening and closing during the contractions of the heart.  The opening and closing functions of the valves are controlled by pressure differences generated within the heart, as well as some muscles located within the heart.

The four valves are known as:

·         The tricuspid valve

·         The pulmonic or pulmonary valve

·         The mitral valve

·         The aortic valve

Heart valves can have three basic kinds of problems:  regurgitation, stenosis , and atresia.

Regurgitation, or backflow, occurs if a valve doesn't close tightly.  Blood leaks back into the chambers rather than flowing forward through the heart or into an artery.

In the United States, backflow most often is due to prolapse.  "Prolapse" is when the flaps of the valve flop or bulge back into an upper heart chamber during a heartbeat.  Prolapse mainly affects the mitral valve.

Stenosis occurs if the flaps of a valve thicken, stiffen, or fuse together. This prevents the heart valve from fully opening.  As a result, not enough blood flows through the valve.  Some valves can have both stenosis and backflow problems.

Atresia occurs if a heart valve lacks an opening for blood to pass through.

Some people are born with heart valve disease, while others acquire it later in life.  When it develops before birth, it is called congenital heart valve disease.

Congenital heart valve disease often involves pulmonary or aortic valves that don't form properly.  These valves may not have enough tissue flaps, they may be the wrong size or shape, or they may lack an opening through which blood can flow properly.

Acquired heart valve disease usually involves aortic or mitral valves.  Although the valves are normal at first, problems develop over time.

Both congenital and acquired heart valve disease can cause stenosis or backflow.

Many people have heart valve defects or disease but don't have symptoms.  For some people, the condition mostly stays the same throughout their lives and doesn't cause any problems.

For other people, heart valve disease slowly worsens until symptoms develop.  If not treated, advanced heart valve disease can cause heart failure, stroke, blood clots, or death due to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

Currently, no medicines can cure heart valve disease.  However, lifestyle changes and medicines can relieve many of its symptoms and complications.