Heart Valve Disease: When Valves Go Awry

The mitral valve, also known as the bicuspid valve, is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle.

The aortic valve opens to allow blood to flow from the left ventricle to the aorta, the main artery that carries blood to the body.

The tricuspid valve is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle.

The pulmonary valve opens to allow blood to flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery, which carries blood to the lungs.

Mitral valve prolapse is the most common type of heart valve disease, characterized by a bulging of the mitral valve leaflets into the left atrium.

Aortic stenosis is commonly caused by calcium buildup and hardening of the aortic valve leaflets, leading to a narrowing of the valve opening.

Mitral valve regurgitation occurs when the mitral valve leaflets do not close properly, causing blood to leak back into the left atrium.

Pulmonary stenosis often causes shortness of breath, especially during exercise or exertion.

Severe aortic stenosis can lead to heart failure if the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.

Severe mitral valve regurgitation often requires surgical intervention, either valve repair or valve replacement.

Echocardiogram is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses ultrasound waves to visualize the heart valves and assess their function.

Rheumatic fever is often triggered by a streptococcal throat infection, caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes.

Mitral valve stenosis occurs when the mitral valve leaflets become thickened and stiff, restricting blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle.

Tricuspid regurgitation can cause swelling in the feet and ankles due to fluid retention.

Pulmonary stenosis is often associated with congenital heart defects, such as tetralogy of Fallot.