Heart valves control the direction of the blood flow in and out of the heart. They play a crucial role in blood circulation by determining the exact moment at which the blood enters and leaves the heart to help proper blood circulation between the heart and lungs.

There are four valves in the human heart – tricuspid and pulmonic valve on the left side, on the right. All of them are one-way valves, that is, they enable the flow of blood in the forward direction and do not let it go backwards.

One way valves for blood flow:

• For example the deoxygenated blood flows through the tricuspid valve from the upper chamber to the lower chamber on the left side (to the viewer). The tricuspid valve prevents the backflow of the blood.
• When the heart contract the deoxygenated blood flows through the pulmonary valve into the lungs – the pulmonary valve prevents the blood flow back into the lower chamber.
• Similarly the mitral valve allows the oxygenated blood flow to the lower chamber and the aortic valve allows it to flow to the right upper chamber, preventing the blood flow backwards.

All the valves work together to help oxygenated blood reach all the body parts and deoxygenated blood reaches the lungs for oxygenation – until the valves work properly. When these valves do not work properly i.e. close or open perfectly, disruption in the blood flow happens causing a variety of problems to the heart.

Types of heart valve diseases:

There are four valves and each valve can run the risk of different types of malfunction but in general heart valve diseases can be classified into two types:

1. Valvular Stenosis: Stenosis happens when a valve’s leaflets become fused or stiff and doesn’t open fully for the blood flow. This leads to restricted blood flow and disruption in blood circulation leading to a heart murmur, shortness of breath, fatigue, rapid, fluttering heartbeat, dizziness or fainting, irregular heart rhythms. Valvular stenosis can happen to any of the four valves mentioned.
2. Valvular regurgitation: Regurgitation happens when the valves do not close fully, leading to the backflow of the blood and disruption in blood circulation. Fatigue, heart palpitations, heart murmur, shortness of breath and swollen feet or ankles or symptoms of regurgitations. Sometimes symptoms may vary based on the valves impacted by the condition.

Though all four valves run the risk of heart valve problems, mitral and aortal valves are commonly the most vulnerable ones accounting for millions of heart problems worldwide.

All these problems will usually start with simple symptoms mentioned above and without proper medical help can worsen over time severely. So if your kith, kin or loved ones are experiencing the above symptoms, then it is advised to seek medical help from an expert heart specialist as soon as possible.

If you are in Hyderabad and are looking for the best heart specialist in Hyderabad, then Padma Shri Awardee Dr Alla Gopala Krishna Gokhale is the best heart surgeon in Hyderabad with an impeccable record in heart valve surgery and treatment in Hyderabad. You can contact him here: 9603040506