Study note

Heart valve disease: flow abnormalities and presentation

THE CONTEXT

Heart valves support forward blood flow and prevent backward flow; disease can impair either function.

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Open valves allow forward movement of blood through the cardiac chambers, while closed valves prevent backward flow.

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A narrowed diseased valve obstructs forward flow. A leaky valve permits backward flow, termed regurgitation.

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Breathlessness is common in valve disease. Acute severe breathlessness may be the presenting symptom of sudden valve failure.

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Predisposition may be genetically determined, follow rheumatic fever or infections, or occur with dilatation of cardiac chambers in heart failure.

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