A normal human heart has 4 valves: the mitral, tricuspid, aortic, and pulmonary valves. These valves ensure one-way blood flow through the heart, opening and closing rhythmically with each heartbeat. Valvular heart disease occurs when one or more heart valves malfunction, either not opening fully (stenosis) or not closing completely (regurgitation), affecting the heart's ability to direct blood flow in one direction.

Doctor Do Thi Thao, from the Department of Cardiology at Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi, states that if severe cases are not properly managed and treated, they can lead to dangerous complications and even death. Misconceptions about the disease can hinder detection and treatment.

All leaky heart valves are dangerous.

Leaky heart valves are classified into varying degrees of severity: very mild, mild, moderate, and severe. Mild regurgitation typically doesn't significantly impact cardiovascular health. Many cases don't require medication but necessitate regular monitoring with echocardiograms and lifestyle changes.

Leaky heart valves are a condition of old age.

Many mistakenly believe this condition only affects older adults due to degeneration and calcification of the valves. However, Doctor Thao clarifies that it can occur at any age. Children can have leaky valves due to congenital defects like abnormalities in the mitral or aortic valves. In young adults and middle-aged individuals, leaky valves are often caused by acquired conditions like rheumatic fever, endocarditis, chest trauma, or complications from heart failure, dilated cardiomyopathy, heart attacks, or aortic aneurysms or dissections.

Doctor Thao performing an echocardiogram on a patient. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Doctor Thao performing an echocardiogram on a patient. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Only seek medical attention when symptoms appear.

Many adults have mild leaky heart valves without knowing it due to the absence of noticeable symptoms. This condition, called physiological regurgitation, usually doesn't affect health and is often discovered incidentally during routine echocardiograms.

However, as the severity increases, symptoms may emerge depending on the underlying cause. These can include shortness of breath when lying down or during strenuous activity, persistent fatigue, rapid heartbeat, palpitations, a dry cough at night, and swollen ankles. If undetected and unmonitored, severe leaky heart valves can increase the risk of heart failure, arrhythmias, pulmonary edema, and even cardiogenic shock, all of which are life-threatening.

Regular cardiovascular checkups are crucial, especially for those with a history of rheumatic fever (rheumatic heart disease), high blood pressure, congenital heart valve disease, or other cardiovascular risk factors. Early detection allows for better disease management and prevention of serious complications.

Leaky heart valves are unrelated to lifestyle.

Chronic stress, smoking, lack of exercise, a high-salt diet, or consuming processed foods can strain the heart, exacerbating leaky valves. Conversely, maintaining stable blood pressure, following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and managing underlying conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can reduce the risk of heart failure and other serious complications. In addition to regular monitoring and following medical advice, individuals with leaky heart valves should proactively adjust their lifestyles.

Ly Nguyen