Question 1

how is a malfunctioning heart valve repaired?

Accepted Answer

Depends: This is a very open-ended question.  Dependent on the valve involved and the malady, the valve may be repaired or replaced.  You have to be a bit more specific.

Question 2

what is a malfunctioning heart valve known as?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Malfunctioning valves usually are either stenotic (tight) or incompetent (leaky).

Question 3

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 4

what are some of the symptoms of heart valve malfunction?

Accepted Answer

Various: Depending on the valve involved, one can have no symptoms.  Others can have chest pain, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing with activity, lower extremity swelling, inability to lie flat, dizziness, passing out, arrhtmias, etc.

Question 5

what causes a leaky heart valve?

Accepted Answer

Not man made.: All biologic valves leak a little.  They do not close perfectly.

Question 6

which heart valve closes first in the heart?

Accepted Answer

Triscupid valve: As the heart contracts, the tricuspid valve is able to close before the mitral valve because it faces a lower systemic venous pressure compared to a slightly higher pulmonary venous pressure faced by the mitral valve.

Question 7

what happens if a heart valve doesn't close all the way?

Accepted Answer

If a valve doesn't : close properly, it will tend to leak. the amount and consequences of leakage can depend on a lot of things, like heart size and function, as well as your blood pressure. for more details, see a doctor.

Question 8

could a heart valve repair itself?

Accepted Answer

No: If a heart valve is leaky or stenotic these conditions do not generally improve without intervention. This is due to the fact that once abnormal mechanical forces start they can begin a cycle of negative effects. The rate of progression varies tremendously, often related to the root cause. Many people, for example, with trivial leaky valves live normally without ever having any problems.

Question 9

what is a sticky heart valve called?

Accepted Answer

Heart valve: We don't use the terminology 'sticky heart valve'. You may mean a stenotic valve.

Question 10

how safe are  heart valve transplants?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Do you mean replacements?  This type of surgery should only be performed at experienced centers.  "experienced " surgeons do at least 50 valve surgeries per year. In seasoned hands, relatively safe surgery with a mortality rate <5%.

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Malfunctioning heart valve

A member asked:

How is a malfunctioning heart valve repaired?

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What is a malfunctioning heart valve known as?

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Can you describe a heart valve malfunction?

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What are some of the symptoms of heart valve malfunction?

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What causes a leaky heart valve?

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Which heart valve closes first in the heart?

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What happens if a heart valve doesn't close all the way?

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Could a heart valve repair itself?

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What is a sticky heart valve called?

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How safe are heart valve transplants?

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