The right part of your heart pumps blood to the lungs: receiving oxygen. Meanwhile, the left one receives oxygen-induced blood and pumps it to the rest of your body.

In humans, birds, as well as mammals, the heart is divided into four chambers or compartments: the right ventricle, the left atrium, the left ventricle, and the right atrium. Divided into four valves—one of each compartment of the heart, the heart valves ensure that your blood moves in the correct direction. The opening and closing of each valve depend on the different pressure in the compartment.

Every part of your heart is vital to your life. Therefore, it is essential to learn how heart valves work. Knowing heart valves functions and anatomy is beneficial in understanding its task in providing a normal and healthy circulation.

Heart Valves Anatomy

Made of tough, thin tissues named leaflets or cusps, these leaflets or cusps opens during the half heartbeat to let the blood move within. Afterwards, they close during the other half of the heartbeat to ensure your blood from going backwards. 

The mitral and tricuspid valves each have two cusps. Meanwhile, aortic and pulmonary have three. These leaflets are attached to the valves by the annulus of the heart, made out of a ring of fibrous tissue.

Human’s heart valves can be grouped into two parts: two Atrioventricular Valves and two Semilunar Valves. Consist of the bicuspid or mitral valve and tricuspid valve, your atrioventricular valves are accountable to halt the blood course going reverse into the atria from the ventricles. 

In contrast, semilunar valves are in charge of halting your blood from going reverse to the ventricle. These valves are divided into two parts, which are pulmonary valve and aortic valve.

How Heart Valves Work

The four heart valves are working hand-in-hand to ensure that your blood is running in the correct direction as well as to stop blood leakage in your ventricle or artery. Here are the steps of how blood circulation in your heart works.

Mitral and Tricuspid Valves are open

Through the opened tricuspid valve, the blood is flowing from the right atrium into the right ventricle. Afterward, to the left ventricle from the left atrium through the opened mitral valve.

Mitral and Tricuspid Valves are closed

Once the blood in the ventricle is full, the mitral and tricuspid valves close to halt your blood course going reverse thus creating leakage during contractions. The tricuspid valve is responsible for the right ventricle while the mitral valve for the left ventricle. 

Aortic and Pulmonary Valves are open

During contraction within the ventricle, your aortic and pulmonary valves compel to open by the blood course. Your pulmonary valve pumps blood in the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery.

In contrast, blood in the left ventricle is pumped to the aorta through your aortic valve. Aorta itself consists of numerous arteries that will take the blood throughout your body.

Aortic and Pulmonary Valves are closed

Once finished contracting, both ventricles will begin relaxing and your aortic and pulmonary valve shutting off. This closure halts blood from running backwards, which can result in an unwanted leakage in your heart.

Although it seems extensive, these movements are repeated continuously in a short period of the heartbeat. The continuous movements ensure that blood will course to your heart, body, and lungs without problems. Normal heart valves direct the blood in the correct way as well as shut at the exact time to stop leakage.

Heart Valves Functions

Here are human heart valves functions in accordance with the circulation course:

Tricuspid Valve

Situated on the right part of the atrioventricular valve, your tricuspid valve functions to halt blood backflow during contractions from the right ventricle to the right atrium. The tricuspid valve is made up of three leaflets, an annulus, and supportive features which are papillary muscles and chordae tendineae.

Also known as heart-string, chordae tendineae is a strong, fibrous strand that attaches papillary muscles to the mitral and tricuspid valve. Meanwhile, papillary muscle is a muscle located within the walls of your heart’s ventricles.

Two most familiar congenital tricuspid valve diseases are tricuspid atresia and Ebstein’s anomaly. Someone who suffers from tricuspid atresia doesn’t have a tricuspid valve, resulting in a solid obstruction between your right heart compartments. 

Additionally, Ebstein’s anomaly means that you have a malformed tricuspid valve, in which your valve sits lower than usual in the right ventricle, causing a backflow to the correct atrium.

Aside from tricuspid atresia and Ebstein’s anomaly, someone can suffer from tricuspid valve stenosis, in which your valve is too cramped that the blood course from the right atrium to the lower right heart compartment is obstructed.

Pulmonary Valve

Separating the right ventricle from the pulmonary artery, your pulmonary valve is semilunar consisting of three cusps. Located in anterior, superior, and close to the left of the aortic valve, pulmonary valve’s role is to stop blood from retracting reverse to the right ventricle from the pulmonary artery.

A condition which disturbs pulmonary valve’s performance is called pulmonary stenosis, in which your blood is obstructed in the pulmonary valve. Congenital heart disease is a common cause of this problem, along with rheumatic heart disease and malignant carcinoid tumour. 

The best way to treat pulmonary stenosis is through surgery or replacement of the valve.

Mitral Valve

Also known as the bicuspid valve or left atrioventricular valve, your mitral valve is accountable in delivering blood from the left atrium to the left ventricle during contractions. Comprises of two cusps, mitral valve and tricuspid valve are collectively known as Atrioventricular Valves (AV) due to its position, between your heart’s ventricles and atria.

Similar to the tricuspid valve, papillary muscles and chordae tendineae also support your mitral valve. Additionally, the mitral valve also has an annulus to ensure that the blood won’t run reverse to the left atrium during contractions.

The mitral valve also has several conditions that need to be noted. Mitral stenosis occurs when your mitral valve is cramped, creating a blockage of the blood course. Causing a shortage of breath and tiredness, mitral stenosis is usually caused by rheumatic fever, which scars the mitral valve.

Additionally, another mitral valve condition is mitral valve prolapse. Mitral valve prolapse occurs when your mitral valve slips reverse into the left atrium of the heart, causing a small amount of blood leakage to the atrium. This is caused by either size abnormalcy or damage on the mitral valve.

Although harmless, a serious mitral valve prolapse can cause an abnormal heartbeat which leads to a chronic issue.

Aortic Valve

Also called the semilunar valves of the heart, aortic valve separates the aorta and heart’s left ventricle. Comprises of two or three cusps, the aortic valve is the last stop of heart’s blood circulation before the blood is delivered through numerous arteries in your aorta.

Aortic valve disease is among the most familiar heart valves diseases, in which the left ventricle of the heart and the aorta doesn’t work correctly. The cause ranges from congenital or birth-conditioned or other varied causes. Two most likely diseases are aortic valve stenosis and aortic valve regurgitation. 

Often caused by rheumatic fever, aortic valve stenosis is a condition where your aortic valve becomes tough and stiff, thus blocking the blood course from the aorta to your body. Whereas, aortic valve regurgitation occurs when the aortic valve isn’t closed appropriately, causing a blood leakage to your heart’s left ventricle.

Aortic valve diseases don’t usually show apparent symptoms for years. It usually shows in the form of shortage of breath, tiredness, fainting, and irregular heartbeat, among many others. 

You can opt to either repair or replace the aortic valve once diagnosed. Disease such as aortic valve regurgitation could be treated through reconstruction and treatment. 

In contrast, aortic valve replacement replaces a native valve with a prosthetic one, made of either metal or animal tissues. The replacement occurs through the surgical or non-surgical method.

Heart valves are one of many vital organs in the human’s body. Not only that it is responsible for keeping your body alive, but fully functioning heart valves also regulate the quality of your health.

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Knowing about this condition will help you to understand about your physiological function, especially if you have a specific heart condition.

Myxomatous refers to a noncancerous tumor filled with mucus, which can grow on various parts of your organ. Myxomatous degeneration happens when a certain part of the organ tissue is deteriorated, resulting in abnormalities and dysfunctions.

While the exact cause is still unclear, researchers think that dermatan sulfate build-up in the body is the possible culprit.

Dermatan sulfate is a beneficial cellular compound, aiding in the process of wound healing and blood coagulation.

However, when the production level is abnormally high, the compound can accumulate on connective tissues, like the mitral valve. The result is a thickened or enlarged tissue, which negatively affects its function.

How does myxomatous degeneration affect the function of the mitral valve? What can you do to reduce the negative impact? Read further to get references you can use while having a discussion with your doctor.

Effects of Myxomatous Degeneration on Mitral Valve

Myxomatous degeneration on the mitral valve is one of the most common causes of Mitral Valve Prolapse. This is the condition where the valve between the heart’s left ventricle and the left atrium is damaged. Since the valve regulates the blood flow during the pumping action, the damage can cause blood rush or backflow.

Some cases of Mitral Valve Prolapse are not life-threatening. The doctor may detect murmurs when they put a stethoscope on the patient’s chest, but otherwise, there are no serious harms. However, other cases may result in symptoms like palpitations, fatigue, and chest pain.

If the Mitral Valve Prolapse reaches a more dangerous level, it can cause serious health condition. Blood clots, congestive heart failure, endocarditis, and stroke are among the most common serious effects. The patient may need surgery to fix the valve condition if one of these conditions happen.

Types of Mitral Valve Surgery

Surgery is the only solution to treat Mitral Valve Prolapse caused by the degeneration of the mitral valve. There are two types of mitral valve surgery to fix its condition.

Annuloplasty

Annuloplasty is a procedure to tighten or reshape the annulus, which is a ring tissue that circles the mitral valve.

This procedure is done if the ring is enlarged due to myxomatous degeneration, causing mitral regurgitation or blood backflow. The surgeon will measure the size of the ring first before attaching a synthetic one.

Annuloplasty is considered a minimally invasive procedure, which can be done as open-heart surgery. The procedure includes small incisions, which heal faster.

Valvuloplasty

Valvuloplasty is a more invasive procedure than annuloplasty because it involves the insertion of a catheter. This procedure is done when the mitral valve becomes too thick and even fused, resulting in restricted blood flow during the pumping action.

Even if you don’t show severe Mitral Valve Prolapse symptoms, a doctor may still suggest this procedure if the valve is severely damaged.

This procedure includes the insertion of a “balloon catheter” into your artery, guiding it to reach the mitral valve. The doctor then inflates the catheter (hence the balloon part), which increases the valve passage and improves the blood flow.

You can undergo these treatments even without experiencing any symptoms. In fact, undergoing treatment before you show any troublesome symptoms will increase the chance for a better prognosis.

Preparations for Mitral Valve Surgery

Mitral valve surgery requires preparations to ensure a smooth procedure. There are several aspects of preparation you need to follow before undergoing the procedure.

Personal Items to Bring

Before heading to the hospital, make sure you bring the right personal items. Recommended things include:

• Comfortable outfits and underwear
• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, towel, comb, shaving equipment, tissue, facial soap)
• List of personal medications
• Hearing aids, dentures, or glasses (if you wear any)
• Required documents
• Copies of personal identifications

You can also bring something to calm your mind before surgery. Books, music player, puzzles, or stuffed animal are quite effective to help you relax.

Medications and Food Consumptions

Discuss with your doctor about things you can and cannot eat before surgery. You must also confirm when to start fasting to prepare for the surgery. The same thing applies to medications, especially if you have been regularly consuming certain medications.

You must also talk to your doctor about the list of medications you consume. If you have any allergies toward certain foods or medications, inform your doctor, relatives, or caregiver clearly. Make a list you can easily share or copy to keep everyone informed.

What Not to Wear during Surgery

Certain personal items will affect the surgery and even endanger your health. Make sure you don’t wear dentures, nail polish, contact lenses, glasses, and any jewelry during the surgery. If you wear studs, earrings, gauges, or other body modification accessories, remove them before surgery.

General Risks of Procedures

There are several common risks associated with mitral valve replacement or repair. They involve blood clots, bleeding, valve dysfunctions, and infection.

Stroke and death are very rare, and the possibilities are reduced with proper preparations. You probably experience slightly irregular heartbeats even after a successful surgery.

Your doctor will discuss this preparation and what to expect from the procedure. However, it is better to understand it so you can accept the doctor’s explanation better.

Foods and Drinks to Avoid 

If you have myxomatous degeneration in the mitral valve, make sure to eat carefully. Certain foods and beverages are not recommended for people with problematic mitral valves. Here are some examples.

Alcohol

Alcohol is dangerous, especially if you experience overt symptoms of mitral valve prolapse. Alcoholic beverage can hinder the body’s “internal pacemaker”, which has a role in regulating the heartbeat and blood-pumping action. If this function is impacted due to alcohol consumption, you will experience more severe symptoms.

Alcohol can also induce a condition called cardiomyopathy, which injures heart muscles by dilation. If you have an abnormal mitral valve, cardiomyopathy will induce leaky valve and create more severe health risks.

Caffeine

Caffeine sources, such as coffee, tea, and dark chocolate, are stimulants that can affect the condition of your valve. Consuming caffeine while having an abnormal valve can result in palpitations.

Some people may even experience anxiety and panic attack symptoms due to increased and irregular heartbeats.

Sugary Foods and Beverages

Candies, fruit juice, and soft drinks contain a high amount of sugar that can trigger the mitral valve prolapse symptoms.

Your blood sugar level spikes after consuming sugary foods and drinks, which trigger the release of insulin and quickly reduce the blood sugar level again. The effects are symptoms like palpitations, shortness of breath, and even mild panic attack symptoms.

Soft drinks also contain artificial compounds such as aspartame. While it poses a small risk on healthy people, it can ruin your body’s ability to control the blood sugar level, resulting in severe symptoms on the heart valve.

Medications to Avoid

People with myxomatous degeneration on their heart valves must also avoid certain medications. They can disrupt the blood pressure level and blood pumping rhythm, resulting in severe symptoms.

Decongestants

Decongestants—common solutions for cold and flu symptoms—often contain active ingredients, such as phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine. They can stimulate the central nervous system and increase blood pressure. The results are chest paint and palpitations.

Over the Counter Painkillers

Over the counter painkillers, like ibuprofen and aspirin, have a blood-thinning effect. It will encourage the body to increase the fluid production level, resulting in higher blood pressure.

The result is a faster bloodstream that goes through the damaged valve. It will cause symptoms like palpitations, angina, and chest pain.

Herbal Supplements

Avoid taking herbal supplements that work as stimulants. They will encourage the stream of the blood through the valve, resulting in heart-related symptoms.

Herbs that are deemed dangerous for people with damaged heart valves include ginseng, fenugreek, echinacea, St. John’s Wort, alfalfa, and gingko biloba. 

Conclusion

Mitral Valve Prolapse is caused by the abnormal condition of the mitral valve, which regulates the blood pumping action in the left chambers of the heart.

Myxomatous degeneration is one of the common causes of abnormal valves. While procedures such as valve replacement or repairment can fix it, remember that it is only temporary. You need to regulate your lifestyle and be cautious with medications to keep the heart healthy.

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