Valvular Heart Disease - Emerald Medical Clinic

Valvular Heart Disease at Emerald Avenue Medical Clinic, Dubai

Valvular heart disease refers to any disorder that affects the heart’s valves, which control the direction of blood flow through the heart. These valves ensure that blood flows in the correct direction and at the appropriate pressure. When the valves become diseased or damaged, it can lead to improper blood flow, which can impair heart function. At Emerald Avenue Medical Clinic in Dubai Marina – JBR, our best consultant cardiologists from Germany specialize in diagnosing and treating valvular heart diseases, providing comprehensive care to restore heart function and improve quality of life.

What is Valvular Heart Disease?

Valvular heart disease occurs when one or more of the heart’s valves don’t function properly, either because they are stenotic (narrowed) or insufficient (leaky). The two most common types of valvular heart diseases are:

Stenosis: When a valve becomes narrowed, it restricts the blood flow through the heart, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively.
Regurgitation (or insufficiency): When a valve doesn’t close properly, blood flows backward instead of forward, leading to inefficient circulation.

Valvular heart diseases can affect any of the heart’s four valves, and they can vary in severity from mild to life-threatening.

Causes of Valvular Heart Disease

Valvular heart disease can develop due to several factors, including:

Congenital defects: Some individuals are born with heart valve abnormalities.
Age-related changes: As people age, their heart valves may thicken, stiffen, or calcify, leading to stenosis.
Rheumatic fever: A complication of strep throat, which can damage heart valves.
Endocarditis: An infection of the heart valves, often caused by bacteria.
Heart attack: A heart attack can damage the heart valves.
Aortic aneurysm: An abnormal bulging in the aorta can lead to valve damage.
Connective tissue disorders: Conditions such as Marfan syndrome can affect the heart valves.

Symptoms of Valvular Heart Disease

Symptoms of valvular heart disease can vary depending on the severity of the condition and the valve involved. Common symptoms include:

Shortness of breath, especially during exertion or when lying flat
Fatigue
Swelling in the ankles, feet, or abdomen (due to fluid buildup)
Chest pain or tightness
Palpitations or irregular heartbeats
Dizziness or fainting
A heart murmur (an abnormal sound heard during a heartbeat, often indicating a valve issue)

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult a cardiologist to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment.

Diagnosis of Valvular Heart Disease

To accurately diagnose valvular heart disease, our cardiologists use several diagnostic tools:

Echocardiogram: The primary diagnostic tool for evaluating heart valves and detecting abnormalities. It uses sound waves to create a detailed image of the heart’s structure and blood flow.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): Helps detect any abnormal heart rhythms that may result from valvular disease.
Cardiac MRI: Provides detailed images of the heart and its valves to assess their function and structure.
Chest X-ray: Can show signs of fluid in the lungs, which may indicate heart valve problems.
Cardiac catheterization: Used in some cases to measure heart pressure and assess the severity of valve disease.
Stress echocardiography: Assesses the heart’s function under physical stress, which helps determine the impact of valve disease on overall heart performance.

Treatment of Valvular Heart Disease

Treatment for valvular heart disease depends on the type and severity of the valve problem. Options include:

Medications
Medications may be prescribed to help manage symptoms, control complications, and reduce the workload on the heart:
- Diuretics: To reduce fluid buildup and relieve symptoms of heart failure.
- Beta-blockers: To regulate heart rate and reduce the heart’s workload.
- Blood thinners (Anticoagulants): To prevent blood clots from forming, especially in cases of mitral valve regurgitation or atrial fibrillation.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: To help relax blood vessels and reduce the strain on the heart.
Minimally Invasive Procedures
- Percutaneous Balloon Valvuloplasty: A catheter-based procedure used to treat valvular stenosis by inflating a balloon to widen a narrowed valve.
- Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): A minimally invasive procedure to replace a damaged aortic valve, especially in patients who are not candidates for open-heart surgery.
Surgical Treatment
For more severe cases of valvular heart disease, surgery may be necessary. Surgical options include:
- Valve Repair: When a valve can be repaired to restore normal function, it is often preferred over valve replacement.
- Valve Replacement: In cases where repair is not possible, the damaged valve may be replaced with a mechanical valve or biological valve (from animal tissue).
- Heart Surgery: In cases where multiple valves are affected or heart failure is present, surgery may be required to treat the underlying heart disease.

Why Choose Emerald Avenue Medical Clinic for Valvular Heart Disease Treatment?

Expert Care: Our cardiologists in Dubai specialize in diagnosing and treating valvular heart diseases, ensuring you receive the best possible care.
Comprehensive Services: We offer a full range of diagnostic tests, treatment options, and follow-up care for all forms of valvular heart disease.
State-of-the-Art Technology: Our clinic uses advanced diagnostic tools and minimally invasive treatments to ensure optimal care.
Personalized Treatment Plans: Each patient is different, and we customize treatment plans to fit your individual needs and health goals.

Book Your Valvular Heart Disease Consultation Today

If you are experiencing symptoms of valvular heart disease or have a family history of heart valve issues, don’t wait. Book an appointment with one of our heart specialists in Dubai at Emerald Avenue Medical Clinic. Let us help you manage your condition and protect your heart health. We also offer Internal Medicine, orthopedy, gynecology and urology, IV Drips.