About Mild Valvular Heart Disease

Valvular heart disease, also known as heart valve disease, occurs when one or more of the heart's valves do not function properly. Your heart has four valves with tissue flaps that open and close, allowing blood to flow in the right direction through the heart's chambers. When these valves become stiff or leak, the result is valvular heart disease. Mild valvular heart disease is a condition in which only one valve may be affected.

Causes

• Valvular heart disease can be caused by medications, defects, rheumatic fever and advancing age. Sometimes the cause is unknown. Rheumatic fever can damage the heart's valves as the body tries to fight the infection. As you age, calcium and other deposits build up on the heart's valves, causing them to thicken and stiffen. According to the National Institute of Health, a diet drug with phentermine or phen-fen has at times been linked to heart valve problems.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of mild valvular heart disease includes a heart murmur your doctor hears through a stethoscope. As the disease progresses symptoms may include shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in the legs, ankles and feet, weakness, racing heart and pressure in your chest.

Diagnosis

• Your doctor performs a physical exam listening to your heart for a heart murmur and your lungs to check for fluid buildup. He will also check your legs and ankles for swelling. A chest X-ray will show if the heart is enlarged and an EKG records electrical activity of your heart and detects any abnormal heartbeat. Echocardiography can confirm the diagnosis by revealing how well your heart is pumping, the shape of the heart valves and if a valve is narrow or causing leakage.

Medications

• The goal of mild heart valve disease treatment is to protect the valve from further damage and relieve symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe antiarrhythmic medications to control your heart's rhythm. Water pills or diuretics can remove excess fluid from your body's tissues. High blood pressure medications and cholesterol lowering drugs may be prescribed, if you suffer from either condition. Blood thinners may be recommended to prevent blood clots.

Lifestyle Changes

• Smoking damages heart valves, so your doctor will ask you to quit if you smoke. He can help you with medications if you have trouble quitting. Your doctor may have you limit activities that cause you to be out of breath. She may give you an exercise plan that builds up stamina slowly. A healthy eating plan that focuses on limiting sodium and fats in your diet and eating more fruits and vegetable will be recommended. Mild valvular heart disease can be controlled through medications and lifestyle changes.