Comprehensive guide – Valve Abnormalities Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment


Valve Abnormalities – Introduction


Valve abnormalities means that one or more of the heart’s valves don’t function correctly. Valve abnormalities affect the blood flow and strain the heart. They can be due to congenital defects, infections, age-related changes.

The various types of valve abnormalities are :
  • Stenosis: The opening of the valve becomes too narrow or stiff, so the blood flow through the valve gets restricted. In order to pump blood through a narrow valve the heart has to work harder.
  • Regurgitation: This is a valve abnormality where it doesn’t close tightly, so the blood leaks backwards into the previous heart chamber. So less blood is pumped forward to the body.
  • Prolapse: The flaps of the heart’s valves are floppy and bulge backward. This condition often leads to regurgitation.
  • Atresia: A valve is not formed properly or a tissue blocks the valve opening preventing blood flow between heart chambers.

Dr. Nithin Annarapu, of Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad, specializes in accurate diagnosis, treatment, and prevention measures for valve abnormalities.

What are the symptoms of valve abnormalities?


For most people the symptoms of valve abnormalities do not appear immediately. They might go undetected for years but the following symptoms could occur and they should immediately consult an expert doctor :-
  • Shortness of breath at rest or when active or lying down accompanied by chest pain.
  • Fatigue, dizziness and fainting
  • Swollen feet and ankles
  • Irregular heartbeat.

For emergency care or appointments, contact Isha Heart Clinic, Manikonda – Hyderabad at 96760 70203.

What are the causes of Valve Abnormalities?


The causes of valve abnormalities are better understood when you have some basic understanding of the heart. There are four valves in the heart through which the blood flows. These valves also ensure that the blood is flowing in the right direction. Each of these valves has leaflets or cusps in the shape of flaps. For every heartbeat these flaps open and close. So for someone with valve abnormalities the valves do not open or close properly, so the required amount of blood is not supplied to the body.

The four valves of the heart are:
  • Aortic valve.
  • Mitral valve.
  • Pulmonary valve.
  • Tricuspid valve.

There are several reasons for valve abnormalities such as:
  • Age related
  • Blood infections, and medical conditions such as rheumatic fever
  • Undetected heart disease or a history of heart attack.
  • Uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Complications due to valve abnormalities


The complications of heart failure are serious and if they go undetected for a long time it becomes life threatening. Other complications, are:
  • Heart failure or a stroke
  • Blood clotting
  • Heart rhythm abnormalities – Arrhythmias
  • Due to lack of blood supply in the body the patient feels constant weakness and fatigue.
  • Inability to continue with normal life and dizziness even for small activities

What Are the Tests to Diagnose Valve Abnormalities?


Diagnosing heart valve abnormalities is crucial since an early diagnosis helps to prevent complications like heart failure or arrhythmias.

Mostly imaging tests are used to diagnose valve abnormalities such as:
  • Echocardiogram which is the ultra sound of the heart
  • Electrocardiogram or commonly known as ECG
  • MRI of the heart
  • CT Scan
  • Stress Test
  • Cardiac Catheterization
  • Angiography

Prevention Tips for Valve Abnormalities


In a very few cases the valve abnormalities are congenital or genetic. Offlate most people are developing them in their older age or due to sedentary lifestyle. Below are few of the methods through which valve abnormalities can be prevented:
  • Manage the risk factors such as diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol through lifestyle changes or medication.
  • Quit smoking and control alcohol consumption. If you are unable to do it on your own there are many centres which can help you get over these addictions.
  • A weekly exercise of 150 minutes is mandate re for good heart health
  • Get regular heart checkups done especially after crossing the age of 45.

Treatment for for Valve Abnormalities at Isha Specialty clinics


The approach to heart valve disease treatment depends on severity of the disease. Dr.Nithin Annarapu at Isha Specialty Clinics takes a holistic approach. At first the patient is advised to make lifestyle changes, following which medications are prescribed and the condition is monitored. Only if it is absolutely necessary surgery is preferred.

Medications

  • Most common medications are blood thinners in order to prevent blood clotting. A patient who is using blood thinners should constantly monitor their condition and should cancel the doctor even for small procedures like dental treatments if necessary.

Surgery


In a surgical approach the damaged wall is either replaced or repaired. The two most common valve abnormality surgeries are:
  • Open-heart surgery
  • Minimally invasive heart surgery.

Factors such as age, overall health, and the type and severity of heart valve disease are taken into consideration before deciding the type of surgery.

Heart valve repair


Heart valve repair is done to repair and save your heart valve. The various types of heart valve repair procedures are:
  • Annuloplasty will tighten the outer ring around the wall.
  • Valvuloplasty is another type of surgery where the flaps of the wall are repaired.

Heart valve replacement


If heart valve repair has failed the surgeon will suggest heart valve replacement. Mitral and aortic valves are the most commonly replaced heart valves. The heart valve could be replaced either by a mechanical valve or a biological valve.
  • A mechanical valve is made of strong material and you need to take blood thinners for life to prevent blood clots.
  • A biological valve is made from cow, pig or human heart tissue.

About Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad


Isha Specialty Clinic is the best Hospital in Manikonda for your heart care and child care. For all your heart related care we are a one stop solution. Our expert team of doctors and state of the art labs offer you comprehensive heart care services. When you visit us you will experience the best paediatric care, children nutrition advice and best cardiologist treatment in Hyderabad. Isha Specialty clinics are located at various convenient locations in Hyderabad such as Manikonda, Gachibowli, Banjara Hills and Toli Chowki, Mehdipatnam, Narsingi, Alkapur township.

Our expert team of doctors


Dr. Nithin Annarapu – MBBS, MD – General Medicine, DM – Cardiology


Dr. Nithin Annarapu has more than a decade of heart care experience. 18 Years Experience Overall (12 years as heart specialist). Dr. Nithin Annarapu Annarapu is an Interventional Cardiologist in Manikonda Hyderabad and has an experience of 18 years in heart treatment, surgeries and cardiac procedures. He has treated many cases of valve abnormalities. He has done numerous valve replacements and valve repair surgeries.Dr. Nithin Annarapu is practicing at Isha Speciality Clinics Manikonda, near Gachibowli in Hyderabad. He completed MBBS from Siddhartha Medical College & Research in 2002, MD – General Medicine from Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad in 2006 and DM – Cardiology from Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad in 2010.

Dr. Swathy Talishetty – MBBS (Osmania), MD (Niloufer) – Child and Newborn Specialist (Paediatric Doctor)


Dr. Swathy Talishetty is a top rated child care specialist. Dr.Swathy is an alumnus of Osmania Medical College where she completed her MBBS in 2007 and later on pursued her MD in Pediatrics from Niloufer Hospital in 2012. Dr Talishetty Swathi has specialized in:-
  • Newborn and infant care
  • Immunization
  • Growth and development monitoring
  • Preterm baby management
  • Childhood overweight management.

Dr. Swathy Talishetty’s compassionate approach, combined with her in-depth knowledge of pediatric nutrition, enables her to offer comprehensive care that addresses both medical and nutritional needs of children, ensuring their healthy growth and development. Get children treatment and pediatric nutrition consultation with Dr. Swathy Talishetty at Isha Speciality Clinics Manikonda, nearby Gachibowli and Narsingi areas in Hyderabad.

Major Treatments at Isha Speciality Clinics


Heart treatment

  • Mitral valve replacement surgery
  • Heart valve replacement and repair
  • Coronary Angioplasty
  • Coronary Angiogram
  • Cardiac catheterization
  • Angioplasty

Pain treatment

  • Thoracic epidural injections
  • Cervical epidural injections
  • Intraarticular joint injections
  • Nerve Block
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy
  • Lumbar Epidural Injections

Pediatric Care

  • Newborn and infant care
  • Immunization
  • Growth and development monitoring
  • Preterm baby management
  • Childhood overweight management.

For guidance and check-ups, call 96760 70203 today. Our expert cardiologists at Isha Specialty Clinic will guide you with personalized heart care plans.

For expert heart care and valve abnormalities treatment, book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

For emergency care or appointments, contact Isha Heart Clinic, Manikonda – Hyderabad at 96760 7020 Dr. Nithin Annarapu Book an appointment today for expert heart care!

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