Heart valves allow blood to pass through the various chambers of your heart. A leaky heart valve is called regurgitation. This occurs when blood flows back into the ventricles because the valves are fully or only partially closed. This event can occur in all heart valves. Because a leaky valve causes the heart to work inefficiently in pumping blood, the heart is forced to work hard to pump the same amount of blood. Treatment includes medication or surgery, depending on the cause of the leak and its severity.
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Part 1 of 2: Getting Medical Attention
Step 1. Call emergency services if you have a heart attack
A heart attack can produce symptoms similar to a leaky heart valve. In addition, leaking heart valves can cause a heart attack. Even if you're not sure if you've really had a heart attack, just call emergency services just in case. Symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Pain that radiates to the neck, jaw, arms, or back.
- Feeling like throwing up
- Abdominal discomfort, especially in the upper midsection (epigastric)
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Short breath
- Sweat profusely
- Fatigue
- Dizziness or dizziness
Step 2. Go to the doctor if you think you have mitral regurgitation
This valve is the valve that leaks most often. In this condition, when the left ventricle contracts, blood flows through the aorta and back into the chamber where the blood flow comes from (the atrium). This can increase the amount of blood in the left atrium, increasing pressure in the pulmonary veins (pulmonary), and forming fluid deposits in the lungs. If your condition is mild, there may be no visible symptoms. If the condition is severe, you may experience:
- The heart beats violently when lying on the left side.
- Short breaths.
- Coughs
- Chest congestion
- Fluid deposits in the feet and ankles.
- Dizzy
- Chest pain
- Heart failure
Step 3. See a doctor if you think you have aortic valve regurgitation
When the left ventricle relaxes, blood should flow out of the heart into the aorta. However, if the heart valve leaks, the blood will return to the left ventricle. This can increase the amount of blood in the left ventricle so that it becomes thicker and less efficient at pumping blood. The aortic wall may also weaken and swell. Aortic valve regurgitation can be congenital or result from high blood pressure, infection, or injury to the valve. The symptoms include:
- A flutter in the heart when the left ventricle relaxes.
- Heart pounding.
- Heart failure
Step 4. Discuss pulmonary regurgitation with the doctor
Blood that passes through the pulmonary valve as it flows from the heart to the lungs. If the pulmonary valve leaks, some of the blood flows back to the heart instead of to the lungs. This condition is quite rare, but it can cause congenital heart problems, high blood pressure, rheumatic fever, or heart infections. Not everyone shows symptoms, but if they do, the symptoms are as follows
- The swish between heartbeats
- Enlargement of the right ventricle of the heart
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Dizzy
- Faint
- Heart failure
Step 5. Ask your doctor about tricuspid valve regurgitation
You have tricuspid valve regurgitation if some of the blood flows back into the right atrium instead of into the lungs when the right ventricle contracts. This can result from ventricular enlargement, emphysema, pulmonary stenosis, infection of the tricuspid valve, weak or injured tricuspid valve, tumors, rheumatoid arthritis, or rheumatoid fever. Diet pills containing phentermine, fenfluramine, or dexfenfluramine can significantly increase the risk of tricuspid regurgitation. The symptoms include:
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Swelling in the feet and soles of the feet.
- Bloated
- Reduced urination.
- Blood vessels throbbing in the neck.
Step 6. Ask the cardiologist to listen to your heart
Cardiologists can get a lot of information from the sound and timing of the blood flow through your heart. Many valve leaks that give rise to a flutter in the heart. This sound is usually absent when blood flows through your heart. The cardiologist will assess the following:
- The sound of blood flowing through your heart. If your heart is pounding, your doctor will consider how loud the sound is and when it occurs during a heartbeat. This will help the doctor determine the seriousness of the valve leak and its location in the heart.
- Your medical history, including any conditions that may have caused you to have a leaky heart valve. These conditions include a heart infection, injury to the heart, high blood pressure, or a predisposition to heart problems.
Step 7. Let the cardiologist measure and scan your heart
Thus the valve leak and its severity can be identified. It is important to determine the cause of the leak and plan a treatment. A cardiologist may recommend doing:
- Echocardiogram. This test uses sound waves to create an image of your heart. The doctor will see if your heart is enlarged and its valves have structural problems. The doctor will measure the anatomical parts, and their level of performance. This test usually lasts less than 45 minutes. The doctor or technician will apply gel to your chest and move the ultrasound device over your chest. This process is non-invasive, painless, and safe for you.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG). This test records the strength and timing of the electrical impulses that cause the heart to beat. This process is non-invasive, painless, and harmless. The doctor or technician will place electrodes on your skin that allow the machine to read and measure the electrical signals of your heartbeat. This test can detect an abnormal heartbeat.
- Chest X-ray. X-rays are painless. The X-rays from the X-ray will pass through your entire body imperceptibly to you and produce a picture of your heart. Doctors can identify if any part of the heart is enlarged. You will be required to wear a lead apron to protect your reproductive organs during this procedure.
- Cardiac catheterization. This test is invasive. A small catheter will enter a blood vessel or artery and then be inserted into the chambers of the heart. The catheter will measure the pressure in different areas of the heart. This information will be useful in diagnosing heart valve problems.
Part 2 of 2: Treating a Leaky Heart Valve
Step 1. Reduce salt intake
A low-salt diet can lower blood pressure which also reduces the burden on your heart. This diet doesn't fix your damaged valve, but it can reduce the risk of the disease getting worse. Even if you don't need surgery, your doctor will still recommend a low-salt diet.
- Depending on your blood pressure level, your doctor may ask you to reduce your salt intake to just 2,300 mg or even 1,500 mg per day. Some people consume 3,500 mg of salt per day.
- You can reduce your salt intake by staying away from processed and canned foods with added salt. Avoid using table salt for food, salting meat before cooking, or salting rice and pasta water
Step 2. Lower your risk of heart attack with medication
The medication your doctor will prescribe depends on your situation and medical history. If you are at high risk for blood clots or high blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe medication for these conditions. Medications don't repair damaged valves, but they can improve conditions that make the leak worse, such as high blood pressure. Medications that may be prescribed include:
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. This drug is often used to treat high blood pressure for mild mitral regurgitation.
- Anticoagulants such as aspirin, warfarin and clopidogrel. Blood clots can cause strokes and heart attacks. This medicine reduces the chances of blood clots forming.
- diuretic. This medicine prevents you from storing too much water. If poor circulation causes your feet, ankles, and soles to swell, you may be prescribed a diuretic. This medicine will also reduce blood pressure. Diuretics can be used to relieve swelling from tricuspid regurgitation.
- statins. These drugs lower cholesterol. High cholesterol levels are often associated with high blood pressure and can exacerbate leakage.
- Beta blockers (Beta blockers). Beta blockers reduce the rate and strength of your heartbeat. These drugs reduce blood pressure and can ease the burden on your heart.
Step 3. Repair the leaking valve
The standard way to repair a faulty valve is through surgery. If you want to repair a heart valve, be sure to see a cardiac surgeon who specializes in heart valve repair. Thus, the chances of a successful operation are greater. Heart valves can be repaired through:
- Annuloplasty. If you have structural problems with the tissue around the valve, the tissue can be strengthened by implanting a ring around the valve.
- Surgery is performed on the heart valves or their supporting tissues. If the heart valve has been damaged through infection or injury, the valve must be repaired to stop the leak.
- Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). This method is a newer, less invasive option for patients who cannot have open chest surgery. Instead of removing the damaged valve, a replacement valve is placed in it via a catheter. A new valve was developed and started functioning to replace the old valve.
Step 4. Get a new valve if the valve is damaged beyond repair
Aortic and mitral regurgitation are common reasons for replacing heart valves. The main option is usually to use as much tissue as possible from your body, but if this is not possible, you may be advised to use tissue from a donor heart, animal, or metal valve. Metal valves are more durable, but increase the risk of blood clots. If you use a metal valve, you will be required to take anticoagulants for life. New heart valves can be implanted using a variety of techniques:
- Intercatheter aortic valve replacement. This method is used to replace the aortic valve and is less invasive than open heart surgery. A catheter is inserted through an artery in the leg or an incision in the chest and then used to insert a new valve.
- Open heart surgery. Open heart surgery can extend the life span of heart tissue and improve your quality of life. most of these operations are successful and are usually managed effectively (mortality rate of 5%). Possible complications include bleeding, heart attack, infection, and an abnormal heartbeat, or stroke. If you need heart surgery, see a specialist who is highly experienced in the procedure you need. Ask a cardiologist for recommendations.
