Heart Valve Research Paper

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1.0 INTRODUCTION
The heart is a muscular organ about the size of a fist which pumps blood through a network of arteries and veins throughout the body. It is located just behind the and slightly left of the breastbone. The heart consists of four chambers namely the left and right atria as well as the left and right ventricles. The heart flows through these chambers by passing through the four valves which are the Aortic, Tricuspid, Pulmonary and Mitral (Bicuspid) valves. These valves make sure that the blood flows through the heart in the right direction. Figure 1.1 shows the flow of blood through the human heart.
Heart Valve Surgery is a procedure to treat Heart Valve Disease. According to the American Heart Association, heart valve surgery …show more content…
Once the heart is overworked, heart failure may occur. Regurgitation (or backflow), Prolapse, Stenosis or Atresia are some of the problems that can occur due to a heart valve disease.
A valve that does not close firmly may cause regurgitation, or backflow. This happens when blood leaks back into the heart chambers rather than flowing through the heart or into the artery. A backflow may occur due to prolapse whereby, the mitral valve flaps does not close properly. A small leak can happen if the pressure inside the left ventricle builds up, causing the mitral valve flap to push back into the left atrium. The heart will have to work extra hard to compensate the blood that has leaked. Figure 1.3 illustrates a prolapsed mitral valve.
When a valve flaps stiffen, thicken or fuse together, stenosis occurs. This means that the valve does not properly open. A stenosis valve will prevent the body to get the sufficient amount of blood it needs, and even a reduced of oxygen-rich blood. The heart will have to work harder to pump blood which will cause the feeling of out of breath and tiredness. All four valves can develop stenosis. Figure 1.4 shows an aortic valve …show more content…
A pulmonary atresia is a congenital heart disease, which is a heart disease that occurs from birth. Solid tissue is formed where the opening of the valve should be thus, preventing blood flowing from the right side of the heart to flow through the lungs to take up oxygen. Figure 1.5 illustrates this. 2.0 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
One of the major sign of heart valve disease is heart murmur which is an unusual sound of heartbeat. This can usually be heard through a stethoscope. These murmurs sometimes sound like swishing or whooshing noise and can range from very faint to extremely loud. These murmurs can be harmless but some could indicate a heart valve disease.
Signs and symptoms of heart valve disease may not show itself until years after the murmurs are first heard. Many don’t show symptoms of heart valve disease until they are middle-aged or older due to the gradual deterioration of health. Some might even not notice any symptoms of this disease.
Some common signs and symptoms of a heart valve disease include;
• Fatigue or
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