What Is The Function Of The Tricuspid Valve In The Heart?

Most people refer to cardiologists to cure issues with the tricuspid valve in the heart. However, as easy as it sounds, treating the tricuspid valve is a crucial process and needs vigilance to mitigate the risk of things getting worse.

What Does Tricuspid Valve Do?

The tricuspid valve is located between the right atrium (top chamber) and the right ventricle (bottom chamber) of the heart. The sole purpose of this valve is to ensure proper blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle without any issue.

Different Kinds Of Tricuspid Valve Diseases?

Complexities can occur with the tricuspid valve, resulting in diseases such as:

· Tricuspid regurgitation: the valve becomes leaky or doesn’t close effectively, which results in the blood flowing backward.

· Tricuspid stenosis: the valve’s movement becomes stiff, resulting in blocking of the blood due to incomplete opening, causing pressure during blood flow.

How Are These Diseases Caused?

Tricuspid valve diseases can be caused due to several reasons, some of which are as follows:

· Can be caused due to an infection such as rheumatic fever or infective endocarditis.

· Dilation of the right ventricle, causing the annulus of the tricuspid valve to enlarge. The annulus is a ring of fibrous tissue attached to the tricuspid giving support.

· Increased blood pressure passing through the valve due to pulmonary hypertension.

· Other less common causes as reported by cardiologists include congenital defects, systemic lupus, etc.

Symptoms Of Problems With Tricuspid Valve

The causes of problems with the tricuspid valve can trigger symptoms that one can assess and consult a doctor right away. Some of these symptoms include:

· Fatigue and easily tired

· Irregular heart rhythms or atrial fibrillation

· Triggering of heart failure symptoms, including shortness of breath, swelling in legs or abdomen, right abdominal pain, etc.

· Fluttering discomfort in the neck

Diagnosis and Treatment

Any cardiologist will conduct a physical exam, looking for the abnormal flow of blood through the valve. This will also lead to knowing irregular pulse or fluttering pulsation in your jugular vein. The cardiologist may recommend tests, including electrocardiography, chest x-ray, echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, etc.

As for the treatment, your doctor will recommend medication to prevent heart failure as well as manage the irregular rhythms of your heart. If things are worse, it can lead to heart valve replacement surgery.

During the surgical process, the cardiologist either removes or replaces the valve. This depends upon the condition of the valve. If the valve is not in a bad shape, the doctors can administer a repair procedure using an annuloplasty ring. It can be performed for primary tricuspid or combined tricuspid disease.

In case the valve is beyond repair, the doctors will administer replacement surgery. This involves the replacement of the damaged valve with a biological valve made of human or animal tissue. These last for 15–20 years and no blood-thinning medication is required after surgery.

Closing Thoughts

If you’re experiencing the stated symptoms, it’s better to consult a cardiologist near you. Tricuspid valve disease can lead to problems in your heart, which in severe cases can lead to major surgery.