Valvular heart diseases are classified according to types of valve, stenosis and obstruction. Stenosis refers to the limited blood flow as narrowed valves are not fully opened. On the contrary, insufficiency (regurgitation) triggers reverse blood flow when the valves are not fully closed. Mitral stenosis is common for younger female whereas aortic insufficiency is common for middle aged males or over.

Diagnosis of Valvular Heart Diseases
• Auscultation: Distinctive sound (systolic murmur) is detected, thus, experienced specialists can confirm the type and severity of valvular disease.
• Chest X-Ray: It is required to identify the state of blood vessels and the size of overall heart and left & right atriums and ventricles.
• Electrocardiogram: It is used to determine which atrium or ventricle carries burden when the heart is severely enlarged. It is a required to diagnose arrhythmia – the complication of valvular disease.
• Echocardiography: It is the best method to confirm valvular diseases as it can analyze condition and shape of valves as well as the pressure changes inside the heart.
• Cardiac Catherterization: It directly measures internal pressure of the heart and the degree of heart vavle abnormalities.

Treatment
The fundamental treatment of valvular disease is reparing or replacing damaged valves through surgical procedure. However, all patients can’t just blindly get the surgery as it involves with opening up the chest and using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The right time of surgery is determined depending on a patient’s condition and the effectiveness of interventional procedures using cardiac catherterization or medication. Patients with valvular diseases are primarily treated by drugs (diuretics, myocardial protectants, vasodilators). However, if condition worsens or during drug therapy, valvuloplasty, valve balloon dilation, or valve replacement is considered.