Heart Valves Definition:

Heart valves are parts of the heart working as doors. They open and close to let blood flow from one area to another of the heart and create the heartbeat sounds.

The Four Valves are:

• Aortic Valve: Located between the left ventricle and the aorta.
• Mitral Valve: Located between the left atrium and the left ventricle.
• Pulmonary Valve: Located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery.
• Tricuspid Valve: Located between the right atrium and the right ventricle.

Heart Valves Function: The main function of Heart valves is to make sure blood flows in the correct direction and exactly time.

Facts about Heart valves:

• Heartbeat sound is the result of opening and closing the valves.
• The Heart beats 100,000 times a day
• Pregnant mother's smoking increases the chances of developing heart problems for the fetus.

 

Reason for Heart Valve Surgery:

You might need heart valve surgery if you have a heart valve problem that is affecting your heart’s ability to pump blood.

Diseases that required heart valve surgery:

• Aortic Stenosis – where the aortic valve is narrowed, and restricting blood.
• Aortic Regurgitation – where the aortic valve allows blood flow to the wrong direction.

These causes may be present from birth or develop later in life.

Heart valves diseases prevention:

• Avoid smoking.
• Maintaining normal levels of blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
• Physical activity exercise.
• Healthy food diet.
• Try to decrease stress and control it.

 

How Can Heart Valves Be Donated?

Anyone can express their desire to donate organs after death, including heart valves, and share this wish with his family.

What is heart valves transplant surgery?

It’s a procedure to replace the damaged or diseased valve or valves.

The most important guidelines after heart valve surgery are as follows:

• After the heart valve transplantation surgery, the patient will remain in intensive care for 1-2 days.
• Most patients leave the hospital after a week of the transplantation surgery, and this is determined and approved by the medical team based on the patient's condition.
• Eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight.
• Engage in light physical activity and avoid engaging in strenuous sports activities.
• Avoid stress and control stressors.

Complications of Heart Valves Transplant Surgery:

• Bleeding while or after the surgery
• Pneumonia
• Blood clotting
• Infection
• Heartbeat disturbance
• Failure of heart transplanted valve