A leaky heart valve is a form of heart valve disease, which affects 2.5% of the country’s population. The heart’s valves are one-way inlets and outlets for blood, regulating its flow in the heart. A leaky valve is one that does not close all the way, allowing blood to flow in the wrong direction. While the effects of a leaky valve range from mild to severe, treating it can prevent complications and heart damage.
Management options
Not all people with a leaky valve require immediate treatment. If signs of a leaky heart valve are detected, the doctor may monitor the condition for a while. Upon noticing signs like discomfort and strain on the heart, the doctor may recommend treatment options like:
1. Prescription treatment
This can ease symptoms of a leaky heart valve, like fluid build-up, and also prevent complications.
2. Valve repair
This may involve inserting a catheter to fix the valve flaps, inserting a stent to stop leakage, repairing supporting structures, and strengthening or tightening the valve base.
3. Valve replacement
This may involve surgical intervention. Here, the surgeon would replace leaky valves by either opening the chest cavity or choosing transcatheter aortic valve replacement—a minimally invasive procedure. The replacement valve can be either biological (made up of human or animal tissue) or mechanical.
Typically, doctors personalize the treatment plan by taking into account the patient’s overall health, age, existing heart problems, extent of the valve disease, and affected valve.
4. Lifestyle changes
If one does not experience any symptoms but has been diagnosed with a leaky heart valve, they may be asked to make changes to their lifestyle to improve heart health and valve strength along with undergoing prescription treatment (if necessary).
– One will have to adopt an exercise routine recommended by the doctor and avoid engaging in intense workouts.
– Keeping blood pressure levels in check is important to prevent leaky valve complications.
– One should keep an eye out for changes in the body and energy levels and discuss them with the doctor.
– When dealing with a leaky heart valve, one should ensure their daily meals are rich in fruits and vegetables. One should also limit intake of unhealthy fats.
Tips for finding a doctor
To seek timely treatment for a leaky heart valve, one should choose from top surgeons specializing in managing cardiovascular issues.
Seek referrals and recommendations: One can ask their primary physician, friends, and family members to recommend a cardiologist.
Consider credibility and experience: When shortlisting top surgeons, one should ensure that they have experience treating heart valve diseases. They should also have the necessary qualifications in the field of cardiology. Speaking to the surgeons regarding their expertise and treatment approach can help one make an informed decision in terms of the kind of care they need and the doctor with whom they would be most comfortable.
Consider reviews: One should look up patient reviews online for doctors one has shortlisted. Patients tend to leave feedback online, offering valuable insights into doctor’s demeanor, clinic or hospital staff’s efficiency, and treatment approach, among other things. This information can help one decide if the doctor is worth considering.
