Heart valve disease
DEFINITION
Your heart has four valves that keep blood flowing in the correct direction. The valves open and close once during each heartbeat. Sometimes, the valves don’t open or close properly, disrupting the blood flow through your heart to your body. In a condition called stenosis, a valve isn’t able to open properly. In a condition called regurgitation, a valve doesn’t close properly and can leak.
Heart valve disease includes:
- Aortic valve disease
- Mitral valve disease
- Pulmonary valve disease
- Tricuspid valve disease
Your heart valve disease treatment depends on the valve affected and the type and severity of the valve disease. Sometimes heart valve disease requires heart valve surgery.
