A heart murmur is an abnormal sound heard during auscultation of the heart. It can indicate turbulent blood flow through the heart valves, potentially caused by valve abnormalities or other heart conditions. Heart murmurs are often identified during routine physical examinations and may require further evaluation.
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition characterized by elevated blood pressure levels. It can increase the workload of the heart and blood vessels, potentially leading to various cardiovascular complications, including valvular heart disease.
The mitral valve is one of the four valves in the heart and is situated between the left atrium and the left ventricle. The mitral valve plays a vital role in preventing the backflow of blood into the atrium when the ventricle contracts.
Obesity is a condition in which there is an excessive accumulation of body fat, often resulting in an increased body mass index (BMI). Obesity is associated with an increased risk of various cardiovascular conditions, including valvular heart disease, due to the added strain on the heart and blood vessels.
Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs. It occurs when the blood vessels in the lungs become narrowed, blocked, or damaged, leading to increased pressure.
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory condition that can occur as a complication of inadequately treated strep throat or scarlet fever infections. It primarily affects the joints, heart, skin, and nervous system.
Rheumatic heart disease is a condition that arises as a result of rheumatic fever. It occurs when the inflammatory process caused by rheumatic fever damages the heart valves, resulting in valve dysfunction.
Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is a surgical procedure that involves replacing a damaged or diseased aortic valve with a prosthetic valve
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), also known as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to replace a diseased aortic valve.
Valvular heart disease (VHD) refers to abnormalities or dysfunctions in one or more of the heart valves, including the aortic valve, mitral valve, tricuspid valve, or pulmonary valve. It can involve conditions such as stenosis (narrowing), regurgitation (leaking), or a combination of both.