When is Heart Valve Replacement Necessary?

A heart valve replacement is an important procedure that restores proper heart function and improves the quality of life for individuals with heart valve disease. From Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR procedure) to Mitra Clip and bioengineered hearts, the medical field is continuously becoming better for better heart life.

If there is advancement in heart treatments on one side, there's another side as well: the rising number of heart-related concerns in India. Research suggests that cardiovascular diseases strike Indians ten years before they strike the Western population.

As a result, it is important to understand when you need to undergo a specific treatment or a surgery procedure. Today, we will look at one such procedure – heart valve replacement.

Heart Valves Diseases: Quick Overview

The heart consists of four valves:

• Mitral valve
• Aortic valve
• Tricuspid valve
• Pulmonary valve

These four valves regulate blood flow through the heart chambers. Now, when these valves become damaged or diseased, they malfunction. Some of the reasons or risk factors for the development of heart valve disease include the following:

• Congenital defects
• Age-related degeneration
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Smoking
• Health concerns like diabetes and obesity
• Diet
• Genetic risks

When is Heart Valve Replacement Necessary?

There are 4 types of heart valve diseases that may necessitate a heart valve replacement if they turn severe. They are as follows:

Stenosis

The valve flaps (flaps that open and close once with each heartbeat) become stiff, thick, or joined together. As a result, the opening becomes too narrow for the blood to flow properly. Here are the symptoms associated with stenosis:

• Shortness of Breath: Difficulty breathing, especially during physical activity or lying flat. The reason? Reduced blood flow through the narrowed valve.
• Chest Pain: Chest discomfort or tightness, also known as angina, may occur as the heart works harder to pump blood through the narrowed valve.
• Fatigue: Feeling exhausted, even with minimal exertion. Again, this is due to the heart's increased workload.
• Heart Palpitations: Sensation of a rapid, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat. It can be accompanied by lightheadedness or dizziness.
• Fainting Spells: Episodes of syncope (fainting) may occur, particularly during physical activity or periods of stress. This is due to inadequate blood flow to the brain.

Regurgitation

The flaps don't close properly. As a result, the blood leaks backward. Here's what you need to check for to identify the concern:

• Shortness of Breath: Similar to stenosis, individuals may experience difficulty breathing
• Heart Murmur: A distinctive heart sound, often described as a "whooshing" or "swishing" noise, may be heard during a physical examination.
• Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or weak, as the heart may struggle to maintain adequate circulation despite the backward flow of blood.
• Palpitations: Irregular or rapid heartbeat, which might be accompanied by chest discomfort or lightheadedness.
• Swelling: Swelling may occur in the legs, ankles, or abdomen because of fluid retention resulting from inefficient circulation.

Prolapse

The flaps become flappy because they become too stretched. As a result, they bulge like a parachute, possibly leading to regurgitation. The following are the symptoms associated with prolapse:

• Heart Palpitations: Irregular or rapid heartbeat, often described as "skipping beats" or "fluttering," may occur due to the abnormal movement of the valve flaps.
• Chest Discomfort: Some individuals may experience chest pain or discomfort, particularly during periods of stress or physical exertion.
• Fatigue like in stenosis and regurgitation
• Dizziness or Lightheadedness: Feeling faint or dizzy when standing up quickly or after prolonged periods of standing.

Atresia

Here, the valve is not formed only. So, a sheet of tissues blocks the blood flow across the chambers. Watch out for the following symptoms:

• Cyanosis: Bluish discoloration of the skin, lips, or nail beds. This is because of inadequate oxygenation of the blood.
• Rapid Breathing: Increased respiratory rate or shortness of breath because the body is trying to compensate for the decreased oxygen levels.
• Poor Feeding: Infants may have difficulty feeding or may become easily fatigued during feeding sessions due to inadequate blood flow.
• Inadequate weight gain or growth failure despite adequate nutrition

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR Procedure)

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement is one of the ways to solve aortic stenosis. It helps to restore normal blood flow and reduce the strain on heart muscles for better heart health. This surgery process may also be called transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedure.

Read more about Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in our blog, 'The TAVR Procedure: Understanding the Steps and Recovery Process.'

Conclusion

A heart valve replacement can greatly improve your quality of life, protecting you from more severe complications. At SL Raheja Hospital, our team of experienced cardiologists and surgeons specializes in advanced treatments such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

So, if you or a loved one requires heart valve replacement, trust SL Raheja Hospital—one of the best hospital for heart valve replacement in Mumbai—to deliver exceptional care and successful outcomes.

Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive cardiac services and schedule a consultation with our expert team.