Anytime a person has something wrong with their heart, it’s scary. Our heart is such a powerful organ, one that seems to sit at the center of our wellbeing and functioning. Unfortunately, it’s also quite fragile. People are often born with heart problems, but they can also develop them overtime, or in rare cases, develop them seemingly out of nowhere. One condition that is somewhat common and often treatable is heart valve disease.
To learn more about this condition, let’s take a look at the causes and risk factors of heart valve disease…
1. What is Heart Valve Disease?
Heart valve disease is when one or more of a person’s heart valves aren’t working properly. “Your heart has four valves that keep blood flowing in the correct direction. In some cases, one or more of the valves don’t open or close properly,” writes the Mayo Clinic. “This can cause the blood flow through your heart to your body to be disrupted.”
While it sounds serious, there are many people who have it to a varying degree and don’t even realize it. Whether or not they need treatment depends on the severity of the issue, the type of valve disease, which valves are affected, and their symptoms. The source notes that treatment can include either medication or even surgery to repair or replace the valve.