What is the Function of Heart Valves?

• Heart valves are one-way doors that open to let blood through and close to keep blood from flowing backward. They keep blood flowing in a one-way direction through the heart and lungs.
• Valves that do not open and close well make it more difficult for blood to flow properly through the heart making the heart pump harder in order to circulate enough blood to the body. Over time, this can weaken the heart.

What Causes Heart Valve Disease?

• The following conditions can damage or scar these valves causing improper opening and closing:
  • Birth defects
  • Aging
  • Rheumatic fever
  • Infection
• Symptoms can range from none to severe.

What Symptoms May Occur when Valves are Not Working Properly:

• Palpitations or a "fluttery feeling in the chest"
• Chest pain which may feel similar to angina
• A sharp pain-like feeling over the left chest
• Heavy pressure under the breastbone
• Pain radiating down the left arm
  • Lasting from a few minutes to hours
  • Appearing when very tired, sick, or under a lot of stress
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Blackouts with advanced disease

What Treatment Can be Expected?

• Medications may provide adequate management of the patient's condition in the early stages of heart valve disease.
• Surgery will be needed to repair defective valves or remove and replace diseased valves when symptoms are severe or patient's health is compromised.
  • The patient's cardiologist and the cardiac surgeon will explain the surgical procedure and what preparation is needed.
• The doctor will determine which type of valve will be used based on the patient's age and condition.
  • Mechanical valves (artificial)
    • The patient will be on anticoagulation therapy (blood thinners) for life. This will prevent blood clots from forming around the mechanical valve.
    • There will be a noticeable clicking noise from the mechanical valve, similar to a loud watch.
  • Porcine valves (from pigs)
    • With a porcine valve, there is the potential for degeneration or calcification of the valve over a long period of time.
    • A second valve replacement is very likely in younger to middle aged people due to the ten year life span of most valves.
  • Homograft valves (from deceased human donors)

What Precautions Should be taken When on Anticoagulants (Blood Thinners)?

• The patient must be careful to take blood thinning medication, Coumadin (Warfarin), as prescribed.
• Blood will be drawn on a regular basis when on Coumadin in order to monitor blood clotting time and ensure that bleeding problems do not occur.
• The patient will need to wear an identification bracelet or necklace to identify his use of anticoagulants.
• The patient must be careful not to cut himself because he will bleed longer than normal. Direct pressure should be applied for five to ten minutes in the event of a cut.

What Precautions Should be Taken After Having a Heart Valve Replaced?

• Observe for arm or leg pain, or slurred speech. Notify the doctor immediately if these signs should appear.
• There is an increased risk of introducing bacteria into the body by way of certain dental, gastrointestinal, or genitourinary procedures/surgeries. This invasion of bacteria could lead to endocarditis (an infection of the heart valves) and affect the functioning of the valve.
  • A prophylactic dose of antibiotics before and after having any of these procedures done is recommended by the American Heart Association.
  • The patient must notify his dentist and/or other doctors that he has had a valve replacement before having any procedures.
• If female, the patient must notify her doctor if she is pregnant or considering pregnancy.