Leaking Heart Valve-Valvular Regurgitation

Leaking heart valve is medically termed as valvular regurgitation. A leaking heart valve or valvular regurgitation occurs when the blood flows or leaks in different and wrong direction. The heart is one of the most important organs in the body. It is mainly responsible for the pumping of blood towards the different parts of the body. The heart is attached to valves that serve as the primary pathway of blood. If by an unfortunate event the valve has a hole, gases and blood will go to the wrong direction. The gases are responsible for the murmuring sound a doctor can hear using his stethoscope. Leaking heart valve is something that needs immediate action; since if it is left untreated, the affected person could die in a matter of weeks.

Causes of a Leaking Heart Valve

Leaking heart valve may arise for several reasons. It could be because the person enjoys foods that are high in cholesterol which could damage or rupture the valves. As the amount of cholesterol thickens on the walls of the valves, it could eventually damage the walls and create a hole allowing the valve to leak. Another possible cause of this condition is chronic smoking which results to the huge amount of carbon dioxide being inhaled. Serious diseases such as COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may arise that could lead to the rupture of the heart valve. The leaking heart valve could also be congenital, which means it is present since birth.

Signs and Symptoms of a Leaking Heart Valve

Here are the common signs and symptoms an individual with a leaking heart valve may experience:

• Sudden nausea and fainting

• Difficulty in breathing when doing strenuous activities such as long walks or jogging, or doing the day-to-day house chores. This could also happen even when lying down.

• Constant coughing especially when lying down.

• Feeling of constant tiredness

• Tachycardia or rapid heart beat

• Heart murmur heard through the stethoscope

• Swelling of the lower extremities such as the feet or the ankles

• Constant urge to urinate

• Tightness and pain in the chest

Once an individual experiences even one of the symptoms aforementioned, it is very crucial to see a doctor as soon as possible. Leaking heart valve can be a fatal condition if not treated right away.

Treatment of Leaking Heart Valve

Normally, people would mechanically believe that the only way to treat a leaking heart valve is through a surgery to close it down. If the leaking heart valve is just minor, there are medications that the doctor could prescribe in order to help it cure. If the leak has become grave or has resulted to several other serious problems to the individual, the heart valve now needs to be repaired as soon as possible. Surgery must be performed by the qualified heart surgeon to remedy the damage.

A leaking heart valve is a serious matter that should be dealt with right away once any of the aforementioned symptoms persists. If the individual feels even one or two of the symptoms, he/she needs to see his/her doctor right away to make sure. It is always better to be safe than sorry.