Diseases

Valvular Insufficiency(Valve Disease)

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All four valves can be stenotic (hardened, restricting blood flow); the conditions are called tricuspid stenosis, pulmonic stenosis, mitral stenosis or aortic stenosis. Valvular insufficiency. Also called regurgitation, incompetence or "leaky valve", this occurs when a valve does not close tightly.

SYMPTOMS

Chest pain or palpitations (rapid rhythms or skips), shortness of breath, difficulty catching your breath, fatigue, weakness, or inability to maintain regular activity level. Lightheadedness or loss of consciousness, swollen ankles, feet or abdomen

CAUSES

Heart conditions and other disorders, age-related changes, rheumatic fever, or infections can cause acquired heart valve disease. These factors change the shape or flexibility of once-normal heart valves. The cause of congenital heart valve disease isn't known. It occurs before birth as the heart is forming.