Valvular Heart Disease
• When one or more valves become narrowed,
hardened, or thickened (stenotic), valves do not
open or close completely
– As result, blood does not flow with proper force or
direction
• Stenotic valve forces blood back up into adjacent chamber of
heart
• Valve that is unable to close properly allows blood to “leak”
back (regurgitate) into previous chamber
– Defects in pumping action of valves can cause heart to
enlarge and thicken