How to Strengthen Heart Valves

Your heart has four valves that pump oxygen and blood into the heart. When working properly, your heart valves have flaps that fully open and close to let the right amount of blood into the heart. However, your values don't always work as they should. For example, one of your valves may not close properly, leading to regurgitation of blood. Factors such as age, congenital birth defects, rheumatic fever and other infections can weaken your heart valves and prevent blood from flowing properly.

Instructions

• 1

  Lead a heart-healthy lifestyle. This includes eating a healthful diet, getting exercise at least five days a week for 30 minutes at a time, not smoking and limiting your alcohol. According to the American Heart Association, a heart-healthy diet includes 4.5 cups of fruits and vegetables a day, eating fish and fiber-rich whole grains and limiting your intake of sodium and sugar-sweetened beverages. Exercise that strengthens your heart includes aerobic activity such as walking, jogging, swimming or biking, according to AHA. If you have weak heart valves, it's also important to see your doctor regularly.

• 2

  Reduce your risk of getting rheumatic fever, an infection that leads to weak valves. Rheumatic fever comes from a bacterial infection such as strep throat. If you have any symptoms of strep throat --- such as a sore throat, difficulty swallowing or a fever --- or any other bacterial infection, see your doctor immediately. Bacterial infections should be diagnosed early to reduce any long-term effects.

• 3

  Talk to your doctor about medicines that may help strengthen your heart valves. For example, diuretics help reduce salt and fluid levels in your body. This reduces swelling and the workload put on the heart and its valves. Beta-blockers control your heart rate and lower blood pressure and work in a similar fashion.

• 4

  Undergo surgery if your symptoms are sever. During surgery, valves can be repaired or replaced. Repair may be removing calcium deposits. Replacement of valves includes adding a prosthetic valve in place of the old one. Surgery is the last measure and shouldn't be taken lightly.