At Sentara, we offer a comprehensive program dedicated to structural heart disease and valve disease. We offer the full range of treatment options, including advanced, minimally invasive surgeries to correct structural issues.
If you have a structural heart defect, you may have heart valves that don't work properly. Heart valves control blood flow between the heart's chambers. The flaps (leaflets) of your heart valves can become stiff or form incorrectly.
Damaged heart valves do not close tightly, causing blood to leak through or flow backwards. When this happens, your heart must work harder. Over time, heart valve problems can lead to heart failure or abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia).
Heart valve disease includes:
- Atresia: When a valve hasn't properly formed or never formed (a heart defect present at birth)
- Regurgitation: When a valve doesn't completely close and blood flows backward (also called prolapse)
Stenosis: When a valve opening becomes narrow and reduces blood flow
Some people with severe heart valve disease do not have symptoms. Others might have uncomfortable symptoms, such as:
- Chest pain, pressure or tightness
- Dizziness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Swollen ankles or feet
- Trouble sleeping, sitting up or walking short distances
Heart valve problems may be present at birth (congenital heart disease). They can also occur later in life because of:
- Aging
- Cardiomyopathy
- Coronary heart disease
- Diseases that weaken the heart, like Marfan syndrome
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Infections such as rheumatic fever and endocarditis
- Radiation therapy
- Unknown causes
If your doctor suspects a structural heart or valve concern, he or she will recommend tests. You might learn more about your heart by having a chest X-ray, an MRI, an echocardiogram, an electrocardiogram and other cardiac images and diagnostic screenings.
As one of the nation's leading heart valve and structural disease experts, we offer the most advanced treatments. Learn more about our heart valve and structural disease procedures.
Our cardiac rehab specialists and Ornish Lifestyle Medicine can help you safely improve your heart health.
Call 1-800-SENTARA (1-800-736-8272) to learn more.