Now accepting Telehealth appointments. Schedule a virtual visit.

Structural & Valvular Heart Disease

Heart One Associates

Board Certified Cardiologist, Vein Specialist, Peripheral Arterial Disease and Structural Heart Specialists located in Phoenix, AZ & Peoria, AZ & Buckeye, AZ

If you have structural or valvular heart disease, such as aortic stenosis or mitral valve regurgitation, you need knowledgeable support and advanced treatment options. Heart One Associates in Buckeye, Peoria, and Phoenix, Arizona, offers expert diagnosis, treatment, and long-term maintenance of your structural and valvular heart disease. For a consultation, call or schedule an appointment online today.

Structural & Valvular Heart Disease Q & A

What is structural and valvular heart disease? 

Structural and valvular heart diseases are conditions that affect the muscles and valves of the heart. The heart consists of blood vessels, four valves, two atrial chambers, and two ventricles. Tissues that separate the ventricles are called the septum. 

These structures work seamlessly to bring blood to the heart, transfer blood to the lungs to receive oxygen, and deliver oxygenated blood to the body. When any element of the heart is weak, damaged, or deformed, it affects the blood flow of the heart and could affect the circulation of the entire body.

Valvular heart diseases cause the mitral, bicuspid, tricuspid, and aortic valves of the heart to be too narrow, stiff, or ineffective. Structural heart diseases affect the blood vessels, valves, walls, and pumping action of the heart. 

What are some structural and valvular heart diseases?

Some examples of structural or valvular heart diseases include: 

  • Aortic stenosis: stiffening and hardening of the aortic valve
  • Mitral regurgitation: backflow of blood through the mitral valve
  • Atrial septal defect: a hole between the atria
  • Ventricular septal defect: a hole between the ventricles
  • Cardiomyopathy: thickened, weak heart muscle 

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common congenital condition where a natural opening between the atria doesn't close after birth as it should. In most people, it doesn’t cause any symptoms, but in some, it may increase the risk for stroke if left untreated. 

What causes structural or valvular heart disease?

Congenital disabilities, structural or valvular problems you are born with, are the most common cause of structural or valvular disease. Congenital heart disease may not cause any issues or present symptoms until you are an adult. 

Other causes of valvular or structural heart disease include: 

  • Endocarditis or bacterial infection
  • Rheumatic fever
  • High blood pressure
  • Atherosclerosis 
  • Heart attack
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Medications
  • Pregnancy

If your provider suspects you have structural or valvular heart disease, they may order diagnostic studies, such as an echocardiogram, transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), nuclear studies, or multi-acquisition gated scan (MUGA). 

What are treatments for structural or valvular heart disease?

Heart One Associates offers advanced, minimally invasive technologies to treat your structural and valvular heart diseases. As part of your comprehensive treatment plan that may include medications or and other therapies, they offer:

  • Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TVAR) for aortic valve stenosis
  • Watchman™ left atrial appendage closure to lower afib-related risks
  • MitraClip® procedure for mitral regurgitation repair
  • Pacemaker or implantable cardioverter device (ICD)

In many patients, these options mean you don't have to have open-heart surgery, which lowers your risks for complications and shortens your recovery time significantly. 

To discuss treatment options for your structural or valvular heart disease, call or schedule an appointment online with Heart One Associates today.