What is tricuspid valve disease?
Tricuspid valve disease is a type of heart valve disease where the valve between the two right heart chambers do not work properly. As a result, the heart must work harder to send blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. This disease often occurs alongside other heart valve problems.
There are several different types of tricuspid valve disease, including:
- Tricuspid valve regurgitation – occurs when the valve doesn’t close properly, causing blood to leak backward into the heart.
- Tricuspid valve stenosis – occurs when the valve is narrowed or blocked, making it harder for blood to move throughout the heart.
- Tricuspid atresia – a congenital heart defect in which the tricuspid valve is not formed.
- Ebstein anomaly – a congenital heart defect in which the tricuspid valve is in the wrong position.
What are the causes and symptoms of tricuspid valve disease?
Several things can cause tricuspid valve disease, including:
- Carcinoid syndrome
- Congenital heart defects
- Enlarged right ventricle
- Infection of the heart
- Certain medications
- Some chronic health conditions
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Trauma to the heart, such as a previous heart attack
- Tumor or radiation therapy to the chest
The signs and symptoms for tricuspid valve disease will vary from person to person. In mild cases, people will not experience any symptoms for many years, if ever. In more severe cases, they may experience symptoms such as:
- Fatigue or weakness
- Irregular heart beating
- Swelling in the abdomen, legs, ankles, or feet
- Enlarged liver
- Heart murmur
- Pulsing or fluttering feeling in the chest or neck
- Shortness of breath
- Skin that feels abnormally cold
How is tricuspid valve disease diagnosed?
To diagnose tricuspid valve disease your provider will review your medical history and perform a physical examination. During this exam, they will feel the veins in your neck, listen to your heart and take your blood pressure. If they suspect a possible heart condition, other tests, such as blood tests, chest X-ray, echocardiogram or electrocardiography may be needed.
What are the treatment options for tricuspid valve disease?
In most cases, you can’t prevent tricuspid valve disease, but you can do things to help relive symptoms. Your treatment will depend on the results of your tests and symptoms. For mild cases, your provider may recommend regular check-up appointments to monitor the condition. They may recommend certain medications to ease the symptoms and prevent complications. More advanced or serious cases may require tricuspid valve surgery to repair or replace the valve.
If left untreated, tricuspid valve disease can have potentially life-threatening complications, including:
- Progressively worsening symptoms
- Blood clots
- Liver damage caused by heart problems
- Heart damage
- Heart failure