Your heart is one of the most critical organs in your body – you need it to survive. When part of it isn’t working properly, it can cause fatigue, breathlessness and more.
One condition that can affect your heart’s function is tricuspid valve disease.
Dr. Ahmed Almomani, an interventional cardiologist at University Health, explains what you should know about tricuspid valve disease and how to spot signs and symptoms.
Plus, learn how University Health cardiologists treat this condition at the Structural Heart and Valve Center.
What Is Tricuspid Valve Disease?
Your heart is a four-chambered organ, responsible for pumping blood through your body. It has four chambers and four valves which help ensure that blood is pumping in the right direction. One of these valves, the tricuspid valve, pushes blood from the right atrium into the right ventricle.
Normally, the valve’s flaps (leaflets) will close with each heartbeat, forming a tight seal to prevent blood from leaking backwards. When the valve doesn’t close as it should, it’s harder for the heart to pump blood forward. Over time, this can lead to complications if left unaddressed.
Types of Tricuspid Valve Disease
There are three main types of tricuspid valve disease:
- Regurgitation: When the valve doesn’t fully shut and form a seal, blood can flow backwards into the right atrium. This is the most common type of tricuspid valve disease in adults.
- Stenosis: Stenosis is a narrowing of the valve, which makes it harder for blood to flow freely through the chambers.
- Atresia: Tricuspid atresia is a congenital heart defect, meaning a baby is born with the condition. With tricuspid atresia, the baby is born without a functioning tricuspid valve. Babies born with this rare condition are treated with surgery shortly after birth.
Symptoms of Tricuspid Valve Disease
Dr. Almomani notes that symptoms may vary depending on the type of valve disease and its severity. Oftentimes, symptoms are mild and can be mistakenly attributed to other conditions.
Symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Fast heartbeat
- Heart flutters
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling of the legs
If you experience any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider. Your provider can refer you to a cardiologist if needed.
What Causes Tricuspid Valve Disease?
The different types of tricuspid valve disease have varying causes. For most people, tricuspid valve disease is acquired and develops over time. However, for a small group of patients, it is related to a congenital heart defect.
Tricuspid valve disease may develop from:
- Damage to the heart
- Valve infection (endocarditis)
- Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs)
- Congestive or right-sided heart failure
- Prior heart surgery
- Cancer
- Autoimmune diseases
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Chest injury or trauma
- Pacemaker placement
- Marfan syndrome (a genetic condition of the connective tissue)
- Radiation therapy
- Age-related valve degeneration
Diagnosing Tricuspid Valve Disease
The first step in diagnosing tricuspid valve disease is visiting your primary care provider. Your provider will perform a physical exam, listen to your heart, take your blood pressure and discuss any symptoms you’ve been having. If you require further testing, your provider will refer you to a heart specialist (cardiologist).
Testing
A cardiologist is specially trained in conditions of the heart. These specialists can perform or order additional testing to make a diagnosis. These tests may include:
- Echocardiogram
- Cardiac CT scan
- X-ray
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Heart MRI
- Blood tests
- Cardiac catheterization
- Sleep study
Once your provider confirms tricuspid valve disease, they will determine its severity and assign: Stage A, B, C or D, with stage D being the most severe.
Learn more about how a cardiologist can help you manage your heart health in our blog.
Managing Tricuspid Valve Disease
“Depending on the severity of the condition, your doctor will recommend a treatment plan,” said Dr. Almomani. “That may include lifestyle changes, medication, minimally invasive procedures or surgery.”
Lifestyle Changes
If you have low-stage tricuspid valve disease, lifestyle changes and regular check-ins with your medical team may be sufficient to manage the condition.
Heart-healthy lifestyle changes include:
- Quitting smoking if you smoke
- Getting regular cardio exercise
- Eating a diet rich in whole foods
- Controlling blood pressure
- Managing diabetes, if you have it
- Managing sleep apnea, if you have it
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Getting enough sleep
Minimally Invasive Procedures
University Health cardiologists offer two minimally invasive treatments for tricuspid valve disease. These treatments can repair or replace a faulty valve without the need for invasive heart surgery. Both use a narrow tube called a catheter, which the doctor guides through the femoral (groin) vein to implant the device.
Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) is a good option for those who don’t qualify for heart surgery. Using a catheter, a cardiologist will place a new artificial valve in your heart to replace the faulty one.
Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) uses a clip-like device (TriClip) to help the valve flaps close tightly to prevent regurgitation.
University Health is proud to be the first and only center in San Antonio to receive the Transcatheter Valve Certification from the American College of Cardiology. This distinction highlights our commitment to leading the way in heart care and advancing patient outcomes through evidence-based medicine.
Heart Surgery
Some patients may need heart surgery to repair or replace their valve. Our heart surgeons are leaders in heart and vascular care. We are recognized as an Institute of Quality for Cardiac Surgery by Aetna.
Heart & Vascular Care at University Health
The University Health Cardiovascular Center is home to advanced treatments and a team of compassionate, expert doctors. Discover more about the Structural Heart and Valve Center, where we specialize in treating conditions like tricuspid valve disease.
We will work with you to ensure your long-term heart health.
