Coronary Heart Disease Merck

This heart disease article was found by a computer. It may be just what you're looking for -- or not at all about coronary heart disease merck -- or somewhere in between. Whether or not it is exactly what you had in mind, I hope you'll find it interesting and helpful.

 

If you think another search for coronary heart disease merck or some other words might provide a better result, here is a Google Custom Search box for you:

Coronary Heart Disease Merck Search Result:

Causes of Valvular Heart Disease

Valvular heart disease or valve disease can even be instance at birth ( congenital ) or it can develop at any period of time throughout a person ' s life span. There are times when the exact cause of valvular disease cannot be discovered. Valvular heart disease is broken down into congenital valve disease, bicuspid aortic valve disease, acquired valve disease and mitral valve prolapse ( MVP ).

When valve disease is present at birth it is referred to as congenital valve disease. This type generally affects the pulmonic valve or the aortic valve. Sometimes the valves are simply not the correct size or else the leaflets have not formed properly.

Bicuspid aortic valve disease is congenital as well and in this case the bicuspid aortic valve has two cusps or leaflets instead of the three it is supposed to have. This can cause the valve to be stiff, leaky or both.

Acquired valve disease is any problem that happens as a result of once normal valves. Sometimes the makeup of valves change as a result of infections or diseases. Rheumatic fever causes the heart valve to become red and inflamed and the leaflets to cling together. This then leads to the heart valves becoming unnecessarily thickened, shortened, rigid and scarred. This can then lead to mitral regurgitation. Rheumatic fever is most often brought on as a result of a bacterial infection, one of the most common being strep throat. However the colossal array of antibiotics that are available today have greatly reduced the incidence of this indisposition.

Another disease that can generate acquired valve disease is endocarditis. This disease happens when bacteria and germs make their manner into the bloodstream and then begin to invade the valves of the heart.

This attack causes growths to begin in the heart valves as well as holes to take place. This can then lead to scarring of the heart valves. Leaky valves end up being the result of all of this. Germs that create endocarditis can come about as a result of surgery, IV drug use, dental surgery and / or serious types of infections. Anyone who suffers from valve disease ( excluding those who obtain mitral valve prolapse ) is at a terrible risk of getting endocarditis, which can be fatal if not treated immediately.

Mitral valve prolapse ( MVP ) is very widespread and affects on average one to two percent of the American population on an annual basis. This disorder causes the mitral valve leaflets to fall back into the left atrium while the heart is contracting. MVP also makes the valve tissues become strange in rub and they become stretchy and generate seepage. It is rare for MVP to bring on any symptoms at all with a patient and most of the time it does not necessitate any kind of special medical treatment.

The above diseases and disorders are the most common causes of MVP but there are other causes as well. A visit to the treat and a variety of tests should help pinpoint the exact cause of valve disease if you are diagnosed with it. More causes include coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy ( or heart muscle disease ), heart attack, hypertension, aortic aneurysms, connective tissue diseases, and sexually transmitted disease ( the most common being syphilis ). There are also less common reasons for valve disease such as tumors, radiation and an assortment of drug treatments.

I hope this heart disease article was helpful to you, no matter how much... or how little it had to do with coronary heart disease merck.

Copyright © 2006 heartdisease.doctorlester.com - All Rights Reserved -