In-Depth Information from Green Mountain Cardiology

Valvular Heart Disease: The importance of heart valves to your overall heart health.

Valvular heart disease refers to several disorders and diseases of the heart valves.

The importance of heart valves.
Your heart consists of four chambers—two upper chambers and two lower chambers —that are responsible for pumping blood. Your heart’s valves are like one-way doors that open and close with each beat of the heart. They control the blood flow from one chamber to the next. Each of these valves is made up of a few thin folds of tissue. When working correctly, your heart’s valves keep blood flowing in the proper direction. With valvular heart disease, blood flows backward through the valve, thus defeating the successful operation of your heart’s pumping mechanism. Lesions that leak backward also cause the valves to narrow and become stenotic.

Problems with heart valves may occur as a result of infection, degeneration or congenital abnormality. The two most common infections are infective endocarditis and rheumatic fever. Valvular heart disease also causes obstructed blood flow or degeneration of valve tissue.

Detecting valvular heart disease.
Conventional echocardiography can determine the presence and severity of backward-flowing blood and provides important data regarding the size of the left upper and lower heart chambers and the degree of abnormally increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is useful in patients for whom surgery is being considered. It helps define what is causing blood to flow backward through the valve and clarifies the severity in some cases.

Expertise to help you stay well.
Green Mountain Cardiologists take into consideration your entire body’s health when evaluating your heart. Over the years, Dr. Michael E. Robertello has developed a tradition of helping to introduce new technology to residents of Rutland and the surrounding areas in Vermont. In fact, he was the first local cardiologist to offer advanced transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).  Dr. Robertello continues to ensure that Green Mountain Cardiology is able to provide leading-edge care for people with heart conditions.

For more information on valvular heart disease or to book an appointment, please call our office at 802-773-1128.

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