Heart valve diseases, which can be congenital or occur with age, can be life-threatening if left untreated. For this reason, the disease must be controlled from the moment the diagnosis is made, and the valve must be repaired or replaced by surgery in suitable patients. Assoc. Prof. from the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery. Dr. Before September 29, World Heart Day, Muzaffer Bahçivan gave information about valve problems and their treatment, which are among the most common heart diseases.
The progression of valve problems can be prevented
In the Heart Mitral and aortic valve problems are most common. Mitral valve disease is very common, especially in our country. The most important reason for this is acute rheumatic fever at a young age. Early diagnosis and treatment in patients with acute rheumatic fever can prevent damage to the valve or reduce the need for intervention due to valve damage, with preventive practices at the appropriate time and dose.
Symptoms should be taken into consideration
Heart valve diseases may sometimes not cause any symptoms. However, patients most commonly complain of shortness of breath and fatigue, especially when moving. These may also be accompanied by heart palpitations. In this case, a cardiologist should be consulted without delay. If the disease is neglected, complaints such as shortness of breath and palpitations may develop that limit daily life. Sometimes, it can lead to life-threatening consequences such as water accumulation in the lungs and severe deterioration of lung and heart functions.
It should be monitored at regular intervals
Echocardiography will show that the heart valves are detected. It can be determined whether there is a problem or not. Treatment options are evaluated according to the course of the disease. Non-advanced heart valve diseases are usually monitored with echocardiography every 6 months or once a year.
Treatment is valve repair or replacement
In advanced heart valve diseases, only Shortness of breath may develop not only while moving but also while sitting and sleeping. In addition, swelling in the legs and abdomen is among the symptoms of advanced heart valve diseases. In this case, the doctor may recommend surgery to the patient. According to the patient's condition Replacing the heart valve with an artificial valve or repairing the valve are among the options. In very advanced patients and in whom surgery has been postponed for a long time, there may be no other option other than heart transplantation.
Read: 0
