Lake Champlain Cardiology Associates
52 Tom Miller Rd., Plattsburgh, NY 12901  (518) 563-2404
www.lccahearts.com

Heart Valves

Our hearts have 4 valves. The valves are like doors that open and close every time the heart beats. They let blood flow forward through the heart but not backwards. Sometimes a valve may malfunction. It may not open up enough (stenosis), it may leak when it is supposed to be closed (regurgitation), or there may be a combination of both problems. These problems may occur because of improperly developed valves at birth, infections, degeneration, or scarring related to aging.

People with damaged heart valves should see a doctor regularly, and if there is a severe problem with a valve, it is a good idea to see a cardiologist. Echocardiograms, or sonograms of the heart, can determine if there are valve problems; occasionally more sophisticated tests are needed. It is recommended that echocardiograms should be interpreted by trained cardiologists.

If there is a severe problem with a heart valve, surgery may be necessary. Medications can help to some extent, but they do not prevent the need for surgery. Rarely, valves can be repaired using catheterization – this will probably become more common in the future. Occasionally surgery can repair a damaged valve, but more commonly the valve will have to be replaced. Valve replacements can be with a mechanical valve or a tissue valve. Tissue valves used to be made of pig heart tissue; now they are made of calf heart tissue. Mechanical valves last longer, but they require life-long treatment with blood thinners. The choice of when to have surgery and which kind of surgery to have, is best determined by the patient, their cardiologist, and heart surgeon.