Valvular heart disease affects millions of people worldwide, representing one of the most significant cardiovascular health challenges of our time. As we age and medical care advances, understanding the various causes of these conditions becomes increasingly essential for both patients and healthcare providers.
Valvular heart disease definition: Valvular heart disease occurs when one or more of the four heart valves (aortic, mitral, tricuspid, or pulmonary) don’t function properly. These valves act as one-way doors, ensuring blood flows in the correct direction through your heart’s four chambers.
The heart valves can develop two main types of problems:
Valvular heart disease can arise from multiple conditions. To better understand them, we can categorise the causes into two main types: congenital (present at birth) and acquired (developing later in life).
Some people are born with valve abnormalities that make them more prone to problems later in life.
Result: Abnormal valve structure leads to turbulent flow, which can cause early degeneration, stenosis, or regurgitation.
Infections can damage previously healthy valves or worsen existing abnormalities.
Result: This can lead to acute or chronic valve dysfunction, which may occur suddenly and be severe.
With ageing, valves undergo natural wear and tear, often worsened by other health conditions.
Result: Valves become stiff and immobile, leading to narrowing or leaking with age.
Sometimes, the body’s own immune or systemic conditions can damage the valves.
Result: Long-term inflammation and scarring lead to thickening or calcification of the valves.
Valve disease can also result from abnormalities in the heart’s structure or changes in blood flow dynamics.
Result: Secondary valve dysfunction develops due to changes in the heart or systemic conditions.
| Cause | Region / Population | Key Features | Typical Interventions |
| Age-Related Degeneration | Older adults in developed countries | – Calcific aortic stenosis (stiff, narrowed valve) – Mitral valve prolapse/regurgitation | TAVI, TMVR, MitraClip |
| Rheumatic Heart Disease | Children & young adults in developing countries | – Follows untreated strep throat- Affects mitral & aortic valves- Causes stenosis and/or regurgitation | Early antibiotics, Valve repair, or replacement |
| Congenital Valve Abnormalities | Younger patients, lifelong condition | – Bicuspid aortic valve (most common) – Leads to early stenosis/regurgitation | Surgical or transcatheter valve replacement/repair |
| Infective Endocarditis | All age groups, high-risk patients | – Infection damages valve tissue- Rapid progression, possible emergency | IV antibiotics, Valve surgery if severe |
| Secondary Valve Dysfunction | Patients with heart disease (CAD, cardiomyopathy) | – Mitral or tricuspid regurgitation due to heart muscle/structural problems | Treat underlying disease, Valve repair/replacement |
Non-Modifiable Risk Factors:
Modifiable Risk Factors:
Understanding the cause of valvular heart disease helps determine the best treatment approach:
Minimally Invasive Procedures:
Specialised Interventions:
While not all causes of valvular heart disease are preventable, several strategies can reduce risk:
Primary Prevention:
Early Detection:
This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers for diagnosis and treatment decisions.
Symptoms that may indicate valvular heart disease include:
Early consultation with valve specialists can prevent complications and improve outcomes through timely intervention.
Valvular heart disease is not a single condition but a group of disorders caused by different factors, from congenital disabilities and infections to autoimmune diseases and, most commonly, age-related degeneration. While rheumatic fever continues to be the most common cause of valvular heart disease globally, especially in younger populations of developing countries, degenerative calcific aortic stenosis is the leading cause in older adults in developed nations.
By recognising the causes of valvular heart disease and identifying symptoms early, patients can benefit from timely intervention and advanced treatments. Modern procedures such as TAVI, TMVR, MitraClip, and other minimally invasive approaches now provide safe and effective solutions, even for patients who were once considered too high-risk for surgery.If you suspect you may have valvular heart disease, consulting an experienced heart valve specialist is the first step toward diagnosis and recovery. At Heart Valve Experts, we combine medical expertise with cutting-edge technology to restore valve function and improve quality of life.
Congenital valve disease is when a valve is malformed at birth (e.g., a bicuspid aortic valve). Acquired disease develops later due to infection, inflammation, degeneration, or structural stress.
Yes, in many low and middle-income countries, rheumatic heart disease remains the leading cause of noteworthy valvular defects in young people. It is less common in high‐income countries due to better access to treatment for streptococcal infections.
Degenerative changes generally become clinically significant in older adults, often after age 65-70 for aortic stenosis, somewhat earlier if there is congenital vulnerability.
Because the abnormal valve geometry causes greater mechanical stress and turbulent flow, which accelerates calcification, fibrosis, and wear, the leaflets may also be structurally less robust.
In many cases, yes: treating streptococcal infections early to prevent rheumatic fever; reducing risk factors for calcific degeneration (managing hypertension, lipids, and kidney disease); preventing and managing infective endocarditis (through dental hygiene and prophylaxis in high-risk patients); and early detection and monitoring of congenital valve anomalies.
