Question 1

is the heart valve a tissue?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The heart valve is specific tissue made of collagen that is thin layered yet durable.

Question 2

which heart valve is the largest?

Accepted Answer

Aortic: The aortic valve is the largest valve.

Question 3

what is the function of heart valve?

Accepted Answer

To direct flow: A heart valve functions to allow unidirectional blood flow. When chambers of the heart contract, one heart valve will open and one will close; this effectively allows only one low resistance pathway for the blood to follow. If there were no valves, blood would flow backwards from where it just came as well as forwards. This would significantly decrease the effectiveness of the heart as a pump.

Question 4

a leaky heart valve at 4 means what?

Accepted Answer

Depends: It reallyd depends on the amount of leak thru the valve.  An ultrasound called an echocardiogram is one way of evaluation a leaky valve.  Other terms used are regurge or regurgitation or insufficiency.  A pediatric cardiologist would be very helpful in evaluation the leaky valve.

Question 5

how to repair a damaged heart valve?

Accepted Answer

Are you a surgeon?: Some heart valves can be repaired. Some can't. Full textbooks and extensive lecture series with demonstrations are devoted to this subject. Most people rely on their doctor who can refer them to a surgeon who is very practiced in this highly technical field.

Question 6

what is an "overlapping" heart valve?

Accepted Answer

Can lead: To prolapse and regurgitation seen on echocardiogram ...Fyi not a commonly used term.

Question 7

can you describe what a heart valve is?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The heart is complex. Blood needs to flow in one direction.  To keep from mixing and to allow flow in one direction, the valve are in place.  They open and close with each beat to achieve this.

Question 8

what materials is a heart valve made of?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Artificial valves come in two general types - biological and mechanical.  Biological valves are usually made from cow or pig tissue.  Mechanical valves are made of graphite and metal.  Patients on mechanical valves need to be on long term coumadin (warfarin).  Not all valves need to be replaced, some may be repaired.  Good luck.

Question 9

can you describe a heart valve malfunction?

Accepted Answer

Heart Valve: The heart valves serve a function as a check valve. They direct blood flow in one direction and prevent back flow. Malfunction can be two ways:
1. The valve can be narrowed (stenosis) and restrict blood flow.
2. The valve may not close properly and leak (insufficiency).

Question 10

which heart valve is most commonly replaced?

Accepted Answer

Aortic Valve: The most commonly replaced heart valve in the us is the aortic valve.  The process of valve disease, usually leading to the tightening of the valve (stenosis) is very similar to that of the development of CAD which is very common in the us.  In the developing countries, rheumatic fever in childhood can lead to both mitral and aortic valve disease in the adulthood, but this is not common in the us.

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Balloon in heart valve

A member asked:

Is the heart valve a tissue?

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Which heart valve is the largest?

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What is the function of heart valve?

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A leaky heart valve at 4 means what?

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How to repair a damaged heart valve?

A member asked:

What is an "overlapping" heart valve?

A member asked:

Can you describe what a heart valve is?

A member asked:

What materials is a heart valve made of?

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Can you describe a heart valve malfunction?

A member asked:

Which heart valve is most commonly replaced?

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