Heart Valve Regurgitation is a life-threatening disease. Many people experience severe symptoms without any warning signs. Therefore, the best prevention approach is to have regular heart health check-ups.
1. What is Heart Valve Regurgitation?
Heart Valve Regurgitation is a condition where the heart valve does not close properly, causing leaks or tears. This leads to blood flowing backward, making the heart work harder to pump enough blood to supply the body. Patients cannot perform daily activities fully because they often feel easily fatigued, and it can also lead to heart failure.
2. Three main causes of Heart Valve Regurgitation
1. Genetic causes, which may be present from birth or develop later in life.
2. Causes from complications of other diseases
- Infections, such as bacterial infections in the throat or respiratory tract, commonly found in children, the elderly, or those with immune deficiencies.
- Coronary artery disease, which causes heart muscle death and subsequent heart valve regurgitation. Coronary artery disease is often a complication of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heavy smoking, old age, or genetics.
3. Causes from aging, which lead to degeneration of the heart valve tissue or calcification on the valve, causing abnormal opening or closing of the valve.
3. Who is at risk of Heart Valve Regurgitation?
1. Those with family members who have heart valve regurgitation.
2. Groups prone to infections, such as young children, the elderly, or patients with immune deficiencies.
3. Those at risk of coronary artery disease due to age, commonly found in men over 40 years old or women over 50 years old, including postmenopausal women, or combined with other risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and genetics.
4. Symptoms of Heart Valve Regurgitation
Symptoms of this disease are usually mild, but if not detected or treated properly, they may worsen to severe stages due to valve degeneration with age. This causes easy fatigue even with little movement. Some cases may be severe enough to cause death due to heart failure.
5. Prevention of Heart Valve Regurgitation
Symptoms of heart valve regurgitation usually develop gradually. Therefore, if you experience palpitations, chest tightness, easy fatigue, swollen feet or belong to a risk group, it is recommended to have a health check-up every year. Take care of yourself by exercising, controlling your weight, and eating nutritious food while reducing sweet, fatty, and salty foods.
Because health is important, do not wait for symptoms to appear but should have regular annual health check-ups. Early detection of hidden abnormalities allows for faster prevention or treatment, which is better than seeking treatment after the disease has progressed and worsened, making it harder to treat or increasing the risk of death.
Dr. Chayut Cheewapruk
Cardiovascular Specialist
Heart Center, Phyathai Nawamin Hospital
