Valvular Heart Disease

Ensuring Every Beat Counts
– Comprehensive Care for Valvular Heart Disease

Understanding Valvular Heart Disease

Valvular Heart Disease involves the dysfunction of one or more of the heart’s valves, affecting the flow of blood through the heart. Whether due to congenital defects, infections, or degenerative changes, valve malfunction can lead to significant health issues, including heart failure, stroke, and arrhythmias. Recognizing and addressing Valvular Heart Disease early is key to preventing severe complications and enhancing quality of life.

Symptoms and Risks of Valvular Heart Disease

Symptoms may vary depending on which valve is affected but can include breathlessness, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, swollen ankles or feet, and chest pain. Risk factors include age, history of infections affecting the heart, high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and lifestyle factors. Understanding these risks is crucial for early detection and treatment.

Our Approach to Treating Valvular Heart Disease

Comprehensive and Personalized Care

Our centre is dedicated to providing specialized care for patients with Valvular Heart Disease. Treatment options range from medication to manage symptoms and prevent worsening of the condition, to surgical interventions for valve repair or replacement. We tailor our approach to each patient’s needs, ensuring the best possible outcomes.

Advanced Testing for Accurate Diagnosis

We utilize state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, including echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and CT scans, to accurately diagnose and assess the severity of Valvular Heart Disease. These detailed evaluations allow us to develop effective, individualized treatment plans.

Preventing and Managing Valvular Heart Disease

Prevention focuses on controlling risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and monitoring for heart-related symptoms. For those already diagnosed, we provide ongoing care and monitoring to manage the condition effectively, reduce symptoms, and prevent complications.

Schedule Your Consultation

If you’re experiencing symptoms or have been diagnosed with Valvular Heart Disease, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team of specialists is ready to provide the care and treatment you need.

FAQs about Valvular Heart Disease

Valvular Heart Disease refers to any condition affecting one or more of the valves in the heart. These conditions can cause the valves to not open fully (stenosis) or to leak (regurgitation), affecting the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.

What is Valvular Heart Disease?

What causes Valvular Heart Disease?

It can be caused by a variety of factors, including congenital heart defects, age-related changes, rheumatic fever, infections (like infective endocarditis), and other conditions such as Marfan syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis.

What are the symptoms of Valvular Heart Disease?

Symptoms can vary widely but may include shortness of breath, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, swollen feet or ankles, chest pain, and fainting. Some people may have no symptoms, especially in the early stages of the disease.

How is Valvular Heart Disease diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and specific tests like echocardiograms, electrocardiograms (EKG/ECG), chest X-rays, and cardiac MRI, which help visualize the heart’s structure and assess its function.

Can Valvular Heart Disease be treated?

Yes, treatment options range from medications to manage symptoms and prevent further damage, to more invasive procedures such as valve repair or replacement surgery. The treatment plan depends on the severity of the disease and the specific valve(s) affected.

Is surgery always necessary for Valvular Heart Disease?

Not always. Surgery is considered based on several factors, including the severity of your condition, symptoms, and whether your condition is worsening. Many patients with mild symptoms or who are asymptomatic can be managed with regular monitoring and medications.

What can I do to prevent Valvular Heart Disease?

While some causes of Valvular Heart Disease cannot be prevented, you can reduce your risk by managing heart disease risk factors. This includes maintaining a healthy lifestyle, controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol, and getting regular medical check-ups.

How often should I be evaluated if I have Valvular Heart Disease?

The frequency of evaluations depends on the severity of your condition and your symptoms. Your cardiologist will recommend a monitoring schedule, which may include regular echocardiograms and check-ups every 6 to 12 months or more frequently if your condition is severe or symptoms change.

Can Valvular Heart Disease lead to other heart conditions?

Yes, if left untreated, it can lead to complications such as heart failure, stroke, blood clots, and heart rhythm abnormalities. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent these complications.

Who Should See a Cardiologist?

Physician Recommendation – If your physician has recommended that you see a cardiologist.
Family History of Heart Problems – If anyone in your family has or is currently battling heart problems.
Heart Pain – If you are experiencing any heart or chest pain.
High total Cholesterol – If you have high cholesterol ( 200+ mg/dL
High Blood Pressure- If you have high blood pressure
Smoker- Smoking plays a major factor for heart disease as it lowers the flow of oxygen to your heart and increases blood pressure, blood clotting, etc. If you have a history of smoking, it is highly recommended that you see a cardiologist.
Diabetic- If you experience any symptoms of heart disease and are a diabetic, it is important to see a cardiologist.
If you are experiencing severe pressure or pain in the chest
If you are experiencing discomfort or pain in shoulders, neck, arms or jaw
If you are experiencing any level of chest pain combined with sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, healt palpitations, anxiety, low blood pressure.

We’re always here to help.
Contact us today.

Ready to prioritize your heart health? Contact Surrey Heart Centre today to schedule a consultation. We are here to guide you on your journey to a healthier heart and a more vibrant life.