Valve Replacement
Valve Repair
Medication
Lifestyle Changes
Treatments
Defective valves can be replaced with biological valves from a pig, cow, or another human. They can also be replaced with man-made, mechanical valves. Biological valves only last 10 to 15 years. A mechanical valve will last theorectically indefinitely, but the patient must take blood thinning medicine for the rest of his/her life. This procedure is done by a specialized surgeon and can be done in one of two ways. It can be done by open-heart surgery, and in some cases, it can be done via transcatheter. In open-heart surgery, the valve is literally cut out and replaced with a new one. In transcatheter replacement, a catheter is instered into an artery in the upper groin with a balloon on the end. Once the balloon reaches the faulty valve, it is inflated to make room for the new valve, and the new valve then takes the place of the old one.
Defective valves can be repaired by manipulating tissue in the valves. Extra tissue can be added to repair holes and tears. Tissue can be taken out to improve the closure of the valve. Fused flaps of a valve (Ex. Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease) can be separated to increase the efficiency of the insufficient valve. This procedure can also be done by either surgery or through the use of a catheter.
Though no medicine can cure valvular dysfunction, varitety of medications can be perscribed to address symptoms and prevent symptoms from worsening. Some medications lower high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol. Others can prevent arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Specific medications can make the blood thinner as well as prevent clots. Others can treat coronary heart disease and reduce your heart’s workload while relieving the symptoms. Medicine can also treat heart failure by widening blood vessels and excreting excess fluid from the body.
Lifestyle changes can't make a dysfunctional valve become perfectly healthy again, but they can help with persistant symptoms and decrease risk conditions worsening. Some possible healthy lifestyle changes include improving diet, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress correctly, increasing physical activity, and quitting smoking. These changes are simple, but they can make a large impact.
