Pulmonary Valve Disease

A condition in which the pulmonary valve is not working properly is called pulmonary valve disease wherein your blood is not flowing properly from your heart to your lungs.

The pulmonary valve is located between the arteries that delivers blood to the lungs (pulmonary artery) and your heart’s lower right chamber (right ventricle).

The types of pulmonary valve disease are:

• pulmonary valve stenosis – a deformity near or on your pulmonary valve that results in reducing the blood flow from the heart to the lungs and pulmonary artery;
• pulmonary valve regurgitation – the flaps of the pulmonary valve do not close tightly leading blood to leak backward into the right ventricle;
• pulmonary atresia – this is congenital in which the pulmonary valve is not formed.

Some people with pulmonary valve disease have no symptoms but if symptoms do occur, they often come on gradually.

The symptoms for the various disorders of the pulmonary valve are similar and include:

• chest pain,
• shortness of breath,
• lightheadedness or dizziness,
• loss of consciousness or fainting,
• fatigue,
• and swelling in your ankles, feet, legs and abdomen or in the veins of your neck.

Causes of pulmonary valve disease vary depending on its type.

Pulmonary valve stenosis is a congenital defect that is present at birth while pulmonary valve regurgitation is most often caused by pulmonary hypertension or high blood pressure in the lungs.

Consult your doctor if you have the symptoms of pulmonary valve disease and he will conduct a physical exam to make a diagnosis.

He will suggest certain diagnostic tests such as angiogram or cardiac catheterization that uses opaque dye to image your cardiovascular system:

• chest X-ray; electrocardiogram or an ECG or EKG that records and measures your heart’s electrical activity,
• echocardiogram or ultrasound of your chest; and MRI of your heart.

If the pulmonary valve disease is mild there is no need for treatment.

For moderate pulmonary valve such as medications to improve blood flow and reduce blood clots, stabilize your heartbeat and reduce the fluid buildup in your tissues.

These medications may relieve symptoms and delay the progression of complications.

Surgery may be required if there is a seriously damaged pulmonary valve.

It is hard to prevent pulmonary valve disease and it may not always be possible.

Having a healthy lifestyle such as:

• exercising regularly,
• eating nutritious foods,
• and avoiding trigger factors for high blood pressure may play a big role.

Have a regular check-up with your physician to detect early signs of diseases.

Some of the possible homeopathic remedies for pulmonary valve diseases include:

• Adonis vernalis,
• Convalaria majalis,
• Crataegus oxyacantha,
• Pulsatilla pratensis,
• Aurum metallicum,
• Acidum Picricum,
• and Vanadium.

These homeopathic remedies are to be taken with professional advice.

Lifestyle modifications are necessary in order to cope with pulmonary valve disease.

You can lower your risk of having pulmonary valve disease by:

• controlling your blood cholesterol,
• blood pressure,
• and diabetes.

Have a healthy lifestyle such as eating nutritious foods and exercising regularly or staying active.

You can avoid smoking and you need to manage your weight. Avoid or manage your stress.

Possible complications of pulmonary valve disease include:

• heart failure,
• irregular heartbeat,
• pulmonary embolism,
• stroke,
• and pulmonary hypertension.