Structural Heart Diseases And Treatment
Did you know the most common type of structural heart disease is heart valve disorder, which has affected around 2 million people in the USA?
Heart valve disorder is a type of structural heart disease that causes leakage in any of the four heart valves.
There are different types of structural heart diseases that occur from damage to any part of the structure of the heart.
Structural heart diseases make it difficult for the heart to pump and supply blood to the entire body. This diminishes blood supply to various body parts, which may damage your tissue and organs, leading to other chronic disorders.
They may be present by birth or develop later as you age.
What Are Structural Heart Diseases?
Structural heart diseases are disorders that damage the valves, chambers, or muscles of your heart.
It refers to any abnormality or damage within the heart’s structure that is present by birth or occurs later.
Types of Structural Heart Diseases
1. Heart Valve Disorders
The heart valves are flaps or leaflets between the heart chambers. They act as a gateway for the passage of blood and prevent the backflow of blood from one heart chamber to the other. Any damage to the heart valves leads to leakage and backflow of blood.
The common types of heart valve diseases include:
- Heart valve stenosis
- Heart valve regurgitation
- Valve atresia
2. Cardiomyopathy
3. Congenital Heart Disease
Symptoms Of Structural Heart Disease
- Shortness of breath
- High blood pressure
- Pain, pressure, or tightness in the chest
- Paradoxical embolism
- Irregular heartbeat
- Decompression illness
- Swelling in various body parts, like the feet, abdomen, ankle, or others.
Causes Of Structural Heart Diseases
- High blood pressure
- Excessive alcohol use or drug addiction
- Smoking
- Advanced age
- Obesity
- Stress
- Heart attack
- Atherosclerosis
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol & Family history
Treatment Of Structural Heart Diseases
The treatment of structural heart disease depends on the type and severity of heart disease and the age of the patient.
Some diseases only need monitoring and no treatment.
The types of structural heart disease and their treatment include:
Heart Valve Disorders Treatment
A transcatheter-based, minimally invasive procedure called the MitraClip is used to treat moderate to severe mitral regurgitation, a disease that causes mitral valve leakage.
TricValve is another transcatheter-based procedure that is used to treat severe leakage of the tricuspid valve in patients with a risk of open heart surgery.
To repair a diseased aortic valve, a procedure known as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is done to implant a new aortic valve by replacing the diseased valve.
Open heart surgeries are done in patients with heart valve diseases who are not at risk for surgeries.
Cardiomyopathy Treatment
The treatment of cardiomyopathy commonly includes lifestyle changes, like regular exercise and diet control. Medications are given to lower blood pressure and cholesterol or manage other conditions responsible for causing cardiomyopathy.
Other cardiomyopathy treatments involve implanting devices, like pacemakers or ICDs, to monitor or treat irregular heart rhythms by delivering an electric shock.
Congenital Heart Disease Treatment
The treatment of congenital heart disease depends on the type of heart defect.
Most defects are mild and don’t need treatment. However, lifelong monitoring is necessary for patients with congenital heart diseases.
The treatment options include:
- Surgical procedures
- Heart transplant
- Catheter-based treatments
- Medications or interventional procedures.
- PFO closure procedure for treating atrial septal defect.
The Heart Valve Experts
At Heart Valve Experts, we are a team of expert cardiologists and surgeons who have handled critical heart disease cases using the most appropriate treatment approach, depending on the patient’s needs.
We undergo a comprehensive health evaluation before initiating any treatment. Our cardio specialists recommend the most suitable treatment option for your heart disease, considering your overall health condition, age, chances of success, and risks involved.
To get a detailed checkup from our cardiologists, book a consultation appointment today.
We care for your heart, do you?