What are the Causes of Valvular Heart Disease?

Valvular heart disease occurs when any valve present in the pumping organ (like a heart) has any damage or becomes diseased. Healthy valves have leaflets that can open and close the valve during a heartbeat. But if the valve is diseased, it might not open and close properly. Any valve can get damaged. But, the most commonly affected valve is the aortic valve. It is advisable not to ignore this condition and see a cardiologist in Brooklyn or near your home.

In some cases, the aortic valve may be missing a leaflet. Due to this reason, the heart may not pump blood effectively throughout the body. Blood may leak back into the chamber and result in heart failure, sudden cardiac arrest, or death.

Causes of Valvular Heart Disease

Congenital conditions, infections, degenerative conditions, and health problems linked to other types of heart conditions are some of the causes of heart valve disease. People often see a cardiologist in Brooklyn, NY, to manage these conditions.

The rheumatic disease can occur after an infection leading to strep throat is not treated. This infection may lead to scarring of the heart valve. It’s the most common cause of valvular heart disease.

Endocarditis, an infection of the heart's inner lining, is caused by a serious infection in the blood. This infection can damage the leaflets of valves. Sometimes, intravenous drugs may lead to endocarditis and cause valvular heart disease.

Congenital heart condition is abnormalities present in the heart valves, such as missing leaflets. For example- a congenital defect in a bicuspid aortic valve with two leaflets instead of three.

Heart failure, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and heart attack are other conditions linked to this heart disease. A person with these conditions should see a cardiologist in Brooklyn regularly.