Question 1

is chf due mainly to heart valve disease?

Accepted Answer

No: Most heart failure in the United States is the result damage done to the heart by ischemic events (heart attacks). Another common cause is uncontrolled high blood pressure which over a long period of time can cause the heart muscle to become too thick to pump blood efficiently.

Question 2

i have a leaking valve, and chf should i have the valve repaired. i am 76?

Accepted Answer

More info needed.: The decision for valve replacement surgery (or any surgery for that matter), is a very complicated decision that involves looking at all aspects of one's health, not just one disease. Best to have a frank discussion with your primary care doctor and surgeon.

Question 3

can a leaking heart valve make chf worse?

Accepted Answer

Yes.: Heart failure is when the heart pump fails to pump blood forward in sufficient quantity to support metabolic demands. Heart failure is not a primary diagnosis, but is secondary to some underlying cause.  A leaking valve is one of the many primary causes of heart failure. It can certainly make heart failure from any other cause worse.

Question 4

what are the risks for an 80 yearold with chf having an aortic valve replacement?

Accepted Answer

Variable: Much of the risk lies on underlying medical conditions and if the CHF is due to the aortic valve dysfunction. If the person is otherwise healthy and the CHF is thought primarily due to the valve problem, the bigger risks of surgery (bleeding, stroke, infection, anesthesia) would relate primarily to the patient age.  
We do bypass surgery and valve surgery on 80 yo patients quite routinely.

Question 5

will a tricuspid valve repair for severe tr cause more problems if the right ventricle of the heart is weak and there is some chf (40% ef) or help?

Accepted Answer

Tricuspid repair: Whether to repair a tricuspid valve is a complicated problem dependent on the details of the patient's physiology. It is possible for some people to do fine with major tricuspid regurgitation and others benefit by repair. You should discuss this problem with the cardiologist who understands the patient's situation. The data here isn't sufficient to advise.

Question 6

papa is 86 with 3 leaking valves, no surgery due to age. low bp and chronic chf. no increase in lasix (furosemide) due to bp. how long can this go on?

Accepted Answer

Not predictable: With proper compliant medications, diet and support, Papa could live for months or even years. There is no good predictive model and it is in the hands of a higher power regardless. Obviously we are mortal so you should cherish the time you have now and work with your physicians and Papa to make him as comfortable as possible while avoiding things that might make his CHF worse.

Question 7

i have heart failure with a mild leakage in my triscupid heart valve. should i choose surgery to repair it?

Accepted Answer

No: Everyone (close to 100% of human beings) have leakage of their tricuspid valve and it's even higher (probably 100%) of people with chf. Unless it's very severe, it should never be repaired as it isn't the cause of the CHF and the CHF won't get better by repairing it.

Question 8

i was diagnosed with mild mitral valve stenosis during a random scan. does this mean i will eventually develop heart failure? what is my prognosis

Accepted Answer

No: Mild mitral stenosis may not be an issue for a long time, if ever.  If the degree of stenosis becomes significant, the problem is treatable, often with a simple minimally invasive cath lab procedure.

Question 9

is 3 leaky heart valves something to be afraid of? no congestive heart failure and being treated with a ace inhibitor and diuretic.

Accepted Answer

All relative : Depends on degree of leakiness. If your doc didn't make a big deal of it then doesn't seem you need to be monitored. Sometimes it does require repeat echocardiograms in the future though.

Question 10

my mother has congestive heart failure, leaky heart valve and pneumonia she is hospitalized is there anything that can be done what is live expectancy?

Accepted Answer

Of course thingsc: Can be done...This scenario is unfortunately not rare...Prognosis depends on severity of conditions ; patients age ; other comorbidities...Talk to her doctors.

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Doctor answers about:

Valve disorders following CHF

A member asked:

Is chf due mainly to heart valve disease?

A member asked:

I have a leaking valve, and chf should i have the valve repaired. i am 76?

A member asked:

Can a leaking heart valve make chf worse?

A member asked:

What are the risks for an 80 yearold with chf having an aortic valve replacement?

A member asked:

Will a tricuspid valve repair for severe tr cause more problems if the right ventricle of the heart is weak and there is some chf (40% ef) or help?

A member asked:

Papa is 86 with 3 leaking valves, no surgery due to age. low bp and chronic chf. no increase in lasix (furosemide) due to bp. how long can this go on?

A member asked:

I have heart failure with a mild leakage in my triscupid heart valve. should i choose surgery to repair it?

A member asked:

I was diagnosed with mild mitral valve stenosis during a random scan. does this mean i will eventually develop heart failure? what is my prognosis

A member asked:

Is 3 leaky heart valves something to be afraid of? no congestive heart failure and being treated with a ace inhibitor and diuretic.

A member asked:

My mother has congestive heart failure, leaky heart valve and pneumonia she is hospitalized is there anything that can be done what is live expectancy?

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