Valvular Stenosis
Mathew Wilson
What is Valvular Stenosis?
Is when there is narrowing, stiffing, thickening, or blockage of one of your heart valves. With the defective valve it may cause your heart to work harder and will also make it harder to pump blood. Valvular Stenosis can occur in any of your four valves.
Causes of Valvular Stenosis:
Valvular Stenosis is caused by scarred Aorta valve, it can also be caused by wearing of the Aorta during the elderly time period. Congenital heart defect can also cause Valvular Stenosis, Congenital heart defect is when you usually are born with three leaflets but with Congenital heart defect you are either born with one, two, or four leaflets which will later on in adulthood cause heart problems. Another cause is calcium build up because with age comes problems. Calcium can build up on your leaflets causing stiffing to your leaflets. The last cause is Rheumatic fever which is caused by strep throat infection which causes scar tissue to your leaflets which can allow for calcium build up which together will end up with damage to any of your valves.
Incidence:
- The most common age group that is effected by Valvular Stenosis is 60+ because of age
- 1.5 million people in the U.S suffer from Valvular Stenosis
- 600,000 people in the U.S are effected yearly by heart diseases
Prevention:
- Take care of your teeth and gums
- Address risk factors for coronary artery disease
- Prevent yourself from getting Rheumatic fever.
- Don't smoke
- Eat a healthy balanced diet
- consume no more then 2 alcoholic beverages per a day
Risk Factors:
- Most common risk factor is age
- If you have had Rheumatic fever you can be at risk of getting Valvular Stenosis
- If you have ever smoked in your life you are also at risk of getting Valvular Stenosis
- Drinking more than 2 alcoholic beverages a day can also put you at risk of getting Valvular Stenosis
Treatment:
- Mild case don't always need treatment
- In severe cases you'll need surgery to have the leaflets or valves replaced
- Pills can be given out
- The main treatment is surgery for the replacement of parts effected in the heart.
Resources:
- "Valvular Stenosis (Heart Valve Disease)." Rochester Regional Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2016.
- "Aortic Valve Stenosis." Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2016.
- "Aortic Valve Stenosis." Prevention. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2016.
- "Valvular Heart Disease." Hoopkins Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2016.
- "Cause & Risk Factors for Aortic Stenosis." - Aortic Stenosis. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2016.
- "Facts and Figures." Facts and Figures. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2016.