Heart Valve Disease

Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of the heart’s valves do not function properly, disrupting normal blood flow through the heart. The heart has four valves –mitral, tricuspid, aortic and pulmonary – that open and close to ensure blood flows in the correct direction. When these valves become narrowed (stenosis) or leaky (regurgitation), the heart must work harder, which can lead to complications such as heart failure.

Heart valve disease may be:

• Congenital (present at birth)
• Acquired due to age-related degeneration, infections or other medical conditions 
   

Common causes include:

• Mitral regurgitation: Often caused by mitral valve prolapse, rheumatic heart disease or damage from a heart attack
• Tricuspid regurgitation: May result from pulmonary hypertension, left-sided heart failure or congenital abnormalities
• Infective endocarditis: Infection of the heart valves
• Rheumatic fever: A complication of untreated streptococcal infection
• Age-related calcification: Leading to stiffening or narrowing of valves

Symptoms may develop gradually and include:

• Shortness of breath, especially during exertion
• Fatigue or reduced exercise tolerance
• Swollen feet or ankles
• Chest discomfort or tightness
• Light-headedness or fainting
• Heart palpitations 

In mitral or tricuspid regurgitation, blood leaks backward through the valve, reducing the heart’s efficiency and causing fluid buildup in the lungs or body. 
 

Diagnosis involves:

• Physical examination: Detection of heart murmurs
• Echocardiography: Key imaging tool to assess valve structure and function
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): To detect rhythm abnormalities
• Chest X-ray: To evaluate heart size and lung congestion
• Cardiac MRI or CT: For detailed anatomical assessment
• Cardiac catheterisation: In selected cases to measure pressures and assess severity

At HKSH, patients with heart valve disease receive comprehensive care from a multidisciplinary team of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and imaging specialists. We offer advanced diagnostic imaging, minimally invasive procedures and surgical interventions tailored to each patient’s condition. 

Treatment depends on the type and severity of valve disease:
Medical Management

• Medications to manage symptoms and reduce strain on the heart, such as diuretics, beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors
• Antibiotics for infective endocarditis
• Anticoagulants if there is a risk of clot formation 
   

Interventional and Surgical Options

• Valve repair: Preferred when feasible, especially for mitral and tricuspid valves
• Valve replacement: Using mechanical or biological prosthetic valves
• Minimally invasive procedures: Such as transcatheter mitral valve repair (e.g. MitraClip) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)
• Tricuspid valve repair: Often performed alongside mitral valve surgery if both are affected 

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, or are at risk of developing heart valve disease, please contact us for an appointment to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment.