I think I found it
I think I found it
I think this is the site regarding different types of valve disease and the symptoms.
http://heartdisease.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.tmc.edu/thi/valvedis.html
Here's the summary:
Types of Valve Disease
Diseases of the heart valves are grouped according to which valve or valves are involved and the amount of blood flow that is disrupted by the problem. The most common and serious valve problems happen in the mitral and aortic valves. Diseases of the tricuspid and pulmonary valves are fairly rare.
Diseases of the Mitral Valve
Mitral Valve Prolapse
The mitral valve regulates the flow of blood from the upper-left chamber (the left atrium) to the lower-left chamber (the left ventricle). Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) means that one or both of the valve flaps (called cusps or leaflets) are enlarged, and the flaps' supporting muscles are too long. Instead of closing evenly, one or both of the flaps collapse or bulge into the atrium. MVP is often called click-murmur syndrome because when the valve does not close properly, it makes a clicking sound and then a murmur.
What causes MVP?
MVP is one of the most common forms of valve disease. It also runs in families. Some forms of MVP have been associated with Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue condition where patients have long bones and very flexible joints. Most people with MVP are small-framed or have minor chest wall deformities, scoliosis, or other skeletal disorders.
What are the symptoms?
Most people with MVP do not have symptoms. When symptoms do happen, they may include
Shortness of breath, especially when lying down.
Chest pain.
Extreme fatigue.
Heart palpitations.
Coughing.
Trouble breathing after exercise.
Rapid heartbeat or tachycardia (this is rare).
Most of the time, MVP is not a serious condition. Some patients say they feel palpitations (like their hearts skip a beat) or sharp chest pain. If you have MVP, you should talk to your doctor about taking antibiotic medicine before dental procedures or general surgery, especially if you have mitral regurgitation or thickened valve leaflets. This medicine will prevent infection of the valve.
See also on this site: Mitral Valve Prolapse
Mitral Regurgitation
Mitral regurgitation is also called mitral insufficiency or mitral incompetence. It happens when the mitral valve allows a backflow of blood into the heart's upper-left chamber (the left atrium). Mitral regurgitation may take years to reveal itself. But, if it goes on long enough, it can cause a buildup of pressure in the lungs or cause the heart to enlarge. In time, this will lead to symptoms.
What causes mitral regurgitation?
Mitral regurgitation is usually caused by conditions that weaken or damage the valve. The most common causes of mitral regurgitation in adults are listed below.
Valve damage from rheumatic fever during childhood.
Injury to the mitral valve after a heart attack.
Injury to the mitral valve from an infection of the heart's inner lining (called infective endocarditis).
What are the symptoms?
In most cases, symptoms come on slowly. They may include
Heart palpitations (the feeling that the heart has skipped a beat).
Shortness of breath.
Fast breathing.
Chest pain.
Coughing.
Fatigue.
If you have mitral regurgitation, you should talk to your doctor about taking antibiotic medicine before dental procedures or general surgery. The medicine will prevent infection of the valve. Mitral regurgitation may also lead to heart failure, stroke, irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), and blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary emboli).
Mitral Stenosis
Mitral stenosis is a narrowing or blockage of the mitral valve. The narrowed valve causes blood to backup in the heart's upper-left chamber (the left atrium) instead of flowing into the lower-left chamber (the left ventricle). Most adults with mitral stenosis usually had an infection called rheumatic fever when they were younger. Mitral stenosis may also be associated with aging and a buildup of calcium on the ring around the valve where the leaflet and heart muscle meet. Cases of mitral stenosis are fewer in developed countries because of the medicines used to fight the infections that lead to rheumatic fever.
What causes mitral stenosis?
Mitral stenosis is usually caused by rheumatic fever, but it can be caused by any condition that causes narrowing of the mitral valve. The condition is rarely passed down through family members.
What are the symptoms?
Most people with mitral stenosis have no symptoms. When symptoms do happen, they may get worse with exercise or any activity that increases your heart rate. These may include
Trouble breathing at night or after exercise.
Coughing, which sometimes produces a pinkish, blood-tinged sputum.
Fatigue.
Chest pain that gets worse with activity and goes away with rest.
Frequent respiratory infections such as bronchitis.
Heart palpitations (the feeling that the heart has skipped a beat).
Swelling (edema) of the feet and ankles.
A hoarse or husky-sounding voice.
Symptoms may begin with an episode of atrial fibrillation. Pregnancy, a respiratory infection, endocarditis, or other cardiac conditions may also cause symptoms. Mitral stenosis may eventually lead to heart failure, stroke, or blood clots to various parts of the body.
Diseases of the Aortic Valve
Aortic regurgitation
Aortic regurgitation is also called aortic insufficiency or aortic incompetence. It is a condition in which blood flows backward from a widened or weakened aortic valve into the heart's lower chamber (the left ventricle). In its most serious form, aortic regurgitation is caused by an infection that leaves holes in the valve leaflets. Symptoms of aortic regurgitation may not appear for years. When symptoms do appear, it is because the left ventricle must work harder to make up for the backflow of blood. The ventricle eventually gets larger, and fluid backs up.
What causes aortic regurgitation?
Aortic regurgitation is more common in men aged 30 to 60 years old. In adults, the most common cause of severe aortic regurgitation is rheumatic fever. Mild cases are often caused by a bicuspid aortic valve (where the valve has 2 leaflets instead of 3) and severe high blood pressure (a diastolic pressure more than 110 mg Hg). Other causes, though rare, may include
Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue condition where patients have long bones and very flexible joints.
Endocarditis.
Ankylosing spondylitis, a condition that causes swelling of the joints between the vertebrae and spine, and the spine and the pelvis.
Dissecting aortic aneurysm.
Aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve that is often causes some degree of aortic regurgitation.
What are the symptoms?
Like other valve defects, symptoms may not appear for years. When they do appear, they can come on slowly or suddenly. Symptoms begin because the left ventricle has to work harder. In time, the ventricle gets larger and fluid backs up. Symptoms may include
Shortness of breath.
Chest pain that gets worse with exercise and goes away with rest.
Swelling in the ankles.
Fatigue.
Fast or fluttering pulse.
Severe cases can lead to heart failure. In most of these cases, the aortic valve will eventually need to be replaced to fix the backflow of blood into the left ventricle.
Aortic Stenosis
Aortic stenosis is a narrowing or blockage of the aortic valve. This valve regulates the blood flow from the heart's lower-left chamber (the left ventricle) into the aorta. The aorta is the main blood supplier to the rest of the body. Aortic stenosis happens when the valve leaflets become coated with deposits that change their shape and reduce blood flow through the valve. The left ventricle has to work harder to make up for the reduced blood flow. Over time, the extra work can weaken the heart muscle.
What causes aortic stenosis?
Aortic stenosis is more common among men. Congenital defects (those you are born with) and rheumatic fever ar the main cause of aortic stenosis in people under 50. In some cases, people are born with a bicuspid aortic valve, meaning the valve has 2 leaflets instead of 3. This may also cause aortic stenosis. In elderly patients, calcium deposits and the growth of fibrous tissue on the aortic valve can distort the leaflets or cause them to fuse together. This is called calcification, and it can make the different leaflets almost look like one. Other causes include a history of other valve diseases, coronary artery disease, or a heart murmur.
What are the symptoms?
People with aortic stenosis may not have symptoms for years. When symptoms do appear, they may include
Fainting, especially during exercise.
Angina-like chest pain that gets worse with exercise and goes away with rest.
Shortness of breath.
Heart palpitations (the feeling that the heart has skipped a beat).
Coughing.
Patients who have aortic stenosis are advised not to exercise too hard. Those with mild aortic stenosis may not need any further treatment other than seeing a doctor from time to time. Surgical replacement of the valve is the treatment of choice for people with severe aortic stenosis.
Diseases of the Tricuspid Valve
Tricuspid Regurgitation
Tricuspid regurgitation is also called tricuspid insufficiency or tricuspid incompetence. It means there is a backflow of blood from the lower-right chamber (the right ventricle) to the upper-right chamber (the right atrium) because of damage to the tricuspid valve or an enlarged right ventricle. Blood is pushed back into the major veins instead of moving forward into the lungs, where it can pick up oxygen.
What causes tricuspid regurgitation?
The main cause of tricuspid regurgitation is an enlarged right ventricle. This may be caused by any disorder that causes right ventricular failure, such as increased pressure in the pulmonary artery. Damage to the tricuspid valve may be caused by rheumatic fever.
What are the symptoms?
People with tricuspid regurgitation usually have no symptoms. For patients who have high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension) as well as tricuspid regurgitation, signs and symptoms may include
Swelling of the stomach area, feet, and ankles.
Fatigue.
Weakness.
Decreased urine output.
Yellowing of the skin (jaundice) and fluid in the stomach area that may be associated with liver problems (ascites).
Most people can put up with the symptoms of tricuspid regurgitation for years. If you have tricuspid regurgitation, you should see your doctor to find out if you have any underlying conditions that may contribute to the disease (such as high blood pressure in your lungs). Surgical repair or replacement of the tricuspid valve may also be needed.
Tricuspid Stenosis
Tricuspid stenosis is a narrowing or blockage of the tricuspid valve. The tricuspid valve regulates the blood flow from the heart's upper-right chamber (the right atrium) to the lower-right chamber (the right ventricle). Tricuspid stenosis causes the right atrium to become enlarged, while the right ventricle does not get enough blood.
What causes tricuspid stenosis?
Tricuspid stenosis is usually associated with rheumatic fever. Often, people with tricuspid stenosis also have mitral stenosis. You are rarely born with tricuspid stenosis, and it is not passed down through family members.
What are the symptoms?
The only symptoms of tricuspid stenosis are fatigue and the pain of an enlarged liver. Symptoms are rarely severe enough to require valve surgery.
Diseases of the Pulmonary Valve
Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
Pulmonary valve stenosis is usually present at birth. The condition means that the pulmonary valve or the pulmonary artery just below the valve are narrowed. This narrowing reduces the blood flow from the lower-right chamber (the right ventricle) into the lungs, where the blood goes to pick up oxygen.
What causes pulmonary stenosis?
Pulmonary stenosis is most commonly caused by a defect during fetal development. The condition affects approximately 1 out of 8000 babies. Pulmonary stenosis later in life is associated with rheumatic fever, an infection of the heart's inner lining (endocarditis), and other conditions that can cause damage or scarring of the pulmonary valve.
What are the symptoms and signs?
Symptoms may not be present until the disease becomes more serious. When symptoms and signs do appear, they may include
Shortness of breath, especially during exercise.
Fatigue.
Chest pain.
Fainting.
A bluish tint to the skin (this is rare).
Poor weight gain (in babies).
A heart murmur.
Surgical repair of the defect can be done in preschool-aged children. The outcome is usually good with successful surgery.
See also on this site: Valve Disease
Updated May 2000
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