Why does a valve thicken?

[Steph]

Does anyone know? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I have looked all over the internet and I can not find anything that talks about why this happens. A part of me is wondering if all of the running and spinning that I do could contribute to this. Could it be related to stress? There probably isn't a clear answer to this question but I thought I would ask anyway.

Steph

 

[Phyllis]

Steph, take a look at the thread that is now current: http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18577 and I posted another thread within that thread that may answer your question.

 

[yankeeman]

Note re: aortic valve stenosis

Note re: aortic valve stenosis

Hi Steph;

I have an aortic valve that is missing one of its three parts and which is stiff - or stenotic. That of course affects its ability to move blood.

My understanding is that has become stiffer simply because there is a part missing -- two parts have been doing the work of three for so long that they get harder.

The other response you got seems to be related to people who have had valves replaced with biologic valves. Wasn't clear whether you have had a replacement yet ( I have not)

 

[SumoRunner]

Corn starch???

 

[belajob]

calcification

calcification

I have read over the responses- glad you inquired. My diagnosis was severe arotic valve stenosis- the cardiologist told me I had calcium deposits on my valves- bicuspid. I asked him what could have caused this- his response was it simply happened/ there was nothing I did that caused it and nothing I could have done to have prevented it. I spoke with his PA a couple of months ago to question about taking calcuim supplements with no definitive response. My thought process was to not take the supplements as I did not want to risk the possibilty of the supplements contributing to more deposits. I do now have a mechnical valve - the on-x. Does anyone know if valve composition has any relation to calcuim deposits- mechnacial vs tissue?

 

[AlonnolA]

Dr. Smith says

Dr. Smith says

For what it's worth, I asked both my cardiologist and Surgeon, who are supposedly tops in their field, and they both said there are no studies linking calcification to anything else (diet, excercise, calcium supplements, etc.) that you can really hang your hat on.