How Much Do You Know About Heart Valvular Disease?

Heart valve disease is a common heart disease in my country, among which valve damage caused by rheumatic fever is the most common. The human body has four valves, namely the mitral valve, tricuspid valve, aortic valve and pulmonary valve. If there is a problem with the valve, how should we "repair" it and how should we protect it in normal times? I hope the following questions and answers can help you.

1. The problem lies at the “door” – heart valve disease?

Our heart is like a house with two rooms and two halls, namely the left and right atria and the left and right ventricles. There are doors between the rooms, which are called "valves" in professional terms. If there are problems (lesions) with these doors (valves), it becomes what we call valvular heart disease.

2. What are the types of heart valve disease?

Our doors are not ordinary. Some are made up of two doors, and some are made up of three doors. They can only move in one direction. If the door cannot be opened wide, it is called valvular stenosis. It may be that the hinge between the door frame and the door is not flexible, and the door is stuck halfway; it may also be that the two doors are against each other and tripped, and the space for the door to open becomes smaller. If the door cannot be closed tightly and leaks air, it is called incomplete closure or regurgitation. It may be that the door was installed too small at the beginning and the size does not match; it may also be that the quality of the door is poor and it is broken, and the door that was originally opened and closed in one direction has become opened and closed in two directions; it may also be that the door has been used for a long time and has aged.

3. What are the symptoms of valvular heart disease?

Common symptoms of valvular heart disease include fatigue, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and palpitations. Patients often have mild symptoms in the early stages, with no discomfort or only mild fatigue, chest tightness, shortness of breath, etc., which will soon ease after rest. Patients with more serious conditions often experience varying degrees of dyspnea. In the early stages, dyspnea occurs when the patient is more active. As the condition worsens, some patients will also experience more obvious dyspnea when they are not active.

4. What should patients with valvular heart disease pay attention to in their diet?

Patients with valvular heart disease should eat small and frequent meals. Do not eat too much at one time and eat easily digestible food. Daily salt intake should be less than 3g. Note that pickles and soy sauce also contain salt, and the salt content is also within 3g. Eat less greasy food. Eat lean meat, avoid animal fat, fat, egg yolk, fish roe, etc. Eat more vegetables and fruits with more crude fiber. Pay attention to the combination of meat and vegetables to maintain a balanced nutrition.