Heart valve regurgitation is a problem caused by a damaged or leaking heart valve. The blood flow in the heart is reversed when this occurs. Leaking heart valve life expectancy can vary widely, depending on which valve is leaking, how severe the leak is, and whether or not treatment is required.
The valves of a healthy heart direct blood flow and ensure that it is distributed uniformly throughout the body. The four heart valves are:
- Aortic
- Mitral
- Tricuspid
- Pulmonic/Pulmonary
Some blood can flow backward if one of these valves starts to leak. As a result, the heart will have to work more, and blood will circulate more slowly throughout the body. If an individual does not receive treatment for their sickness, their life expectancy could be shortened.
The present post intends to explore leaking heart valve life expectancy. It also sheds light on the leaking heart valve life expectancy without surgery.
So, continue reading to learn more.
Leaking Heart Valve Life Expectancy
A leaking heart valve is a serious issue that needs immediate medical attention as if left untreated; it poses serious life threats. The grave consequences of the condition include harmful blood clotting, heart failure, cardiac arrest, and an increased risk of arrhythmias.
Causes of the leaky valve include:
- Congenital heart defects
- Endocarditis
- Enlarged heart
- Enlarged aorta
- Cardiomyopathy, i.e., abnormal heart muscle
- Trauma to the heart
- Pulmonary hypertension
The symptoms associated with leaky heart valves are dizziness, fast heartbeat, chest pain, dyspnea, and edema.
Leaking heart valve life expectancy depends on various factors, including the following:
- Severity of leakage
- Type of the affected valve
- Need for surgery
- Time of diagnosis
- Seriousness of damage
- Age of the individual
Patients with severe valvular illnesses such as aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation are more prone to develop painful and deadly heart valve disease. However, this sickness can be treated with surgical and transcatheter procedures.
Due to advances in medical technology, the quality of life for individuals has improved. Additionally, the procedure increases the likelihood that the patient will survive. But if the leaking heart valve is not repaired, survival odds diminish.
The type of heart valve condition you have also affects your expected lifespan. The following are examples of frequent types of illness:
Aortic Stenosis
Initially, you might not notice any symptoms as the manifestation of the symptom takes 3-5 years. You could die within three years after the first symptoms if left untreated. However, after valve replacement surgery, your quality of life will enhance. Those whose valves have been replaced may have a greater chance of living long lives. After surgery, the likelihood of living longer is significantly enhanced.
Aortic Regurgitation
It is a disorder with symptoms that make breathing difficult and increase the risk of heart failure. If you have aortic regurgitation, you will need surgery to replace a valve within two to three years. The life expectancy of a person with a leaking heart valve greatly improves after valve replacement surgery.
Mitral Valve Prolapse and Mitral Stenosis
The mitral valve becomes dislodged. It demands good medical supervision. However, those with mitral valve prolapse live as long as those without the illness.
If your mitral stenosis symptoms are mild, you may live at least ten years after being diagnosed. However, life expectancy is not calculated similarly for each individual. Only 80% of persons with mitral stenosis live longer than ten years.
Symptoms Influencing Life Expectancy
If you have a leaking heart valve, your symptoms can influence your life expectancy. For example, your survival chances may be diminished if you frequently feel short of breath. In addition, you could die within three years if you have severe pulmonary hypertension. However, early surgery and mitral valve replacement can enhance your quality of life.
In mitral regurgitation, a convenient operation can increase your chances of survival. In addition, your survival rate following surgery may be equivalent to that of individuals without mitral regurgitation.
In the case of tricuspid regurgitation, medical intervention can aid in decreasing heart valve leakage and extending life expectancy. Without treatment, severe tricuspid regurgitation carries a 64% chance of survival.
Thoracic stricture has a substantial effect on children and requires early medical care. However, there are great surgical alternatives for advanced instances. Moreover, developments in therapeutic choices have raised the likelihood of survival. A youngster may require a valve replacement as part of their treatment.
Valvular disease patients’ life expectancy is dictated by quick diagnosis, appropriate follow-up, and medicinal and surgical therapies. With follow-up appointments and drugs, mortality and morbidity over the long term can be minimized.
Leaking Heart Valve Life Expectancy Without Surgery
Aortic regurgitation can occur despite the absence of symptoms and tends to worsen with time and may create symptoms requiring medical attention. Those affected by a severe disease are more prone to breathlessness, chest pain, heart palpitations, and fatigue. In the early stages of the disease, doctors advise patients to be vigilant for any symptoms.
A person with symptoms is more prone to develop pulmonary edema, congestive heart failure, and other life-threatening illnesses. Those with significant aortic valve regurgitation who do not undergo surgery have a dismal prognosis. Only approximately 28% of these individuals survive at least three years. On the other hand, treatment has the potential to increase life expectancy.
It is also possible that mitral regurgitation will go unnoticed. Like aortic regurgitation, long-term survival depends on the presence or absence of symptoms and the severity of the condition. The fatality rate for persons over 50 with mitral regurgitation depends on the severity of the condition.
Some individuals with tricuspid regurgitation exhibit no symptoms. If a patient exhibits symptoms, treatment is recommended and determined by the symptoms’ severity. In some instances, treatment can be administered without the need for surgery. Untreated tricuspid regurgitation can compromise long-term survival and make it more difficult to manage other health issues. However, even without therapy, a person’s chance of survival will depend on the severity of their ailment.
Conclusion
A leaky heart valve does not effectively close during the heartbeat. Leaky heart valves can cause the heart to work harder, resulting in a variety of symptoms and, in the most severe cases, heart failure. Leaking valves become worse over time.
If someone suspects they have a leaky heart valve or any heart condition, they should consult a physician immediately. The sooner a physician can determine what is wrong, the sooner therapy or monitoring may begin. Leaking heart valve life expectancy without surgery depends on various factors, including the person’s overall health, age, and the severity of the leak.
The professionals at HG Analytics provide a thorough health screening to detect chronic diseases early when they are easier to cure. With our leading medical technology, we offer all-inclusive screening.
Our preventive care provides you with a comprehensive report that might assist you in devising a strategy to live as long as possible while minimizing your chance of the most severe consequences.
If you suspect you may have a leaky heart valve, you should get yourself screened immediately. Make an appointment now to enhance your heart health.
