Some Bad Habits that can Affect Your Heart Valves

Cardiology | by Dr. Subhendu Mandal | Published on 30/03/2022

A human heart has four valves - mitral valve tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve, and aortic valve, the normal working of which is vital for the healthy functioning of the heart. All the valves have flaps that open and close to control the movement of the blood flowing through the heart and to the rest of the body. When any of the valves fail to function efficiently, it can disrupt the normal flow of blood. Experts specializing in heart valve replacement surgery in Kolkata suggest that valve defects can be present since birth or you may develop these later on in life, predominantly owing to an underlying medical condition or unhealthy lifestyle choices. Two of the most common problems that can affect the valves include:

• Regurgitation is marked by the inability of the flaps to close properly. This results in the backward flow of blood.
• Stenosis is marked by the stiffening or thickening of the flaps, as a result of which the valve tends to become narrow.

There are many rest factors that can increase your chances of developing such problems and luckily some of these are manageable. These include hypertension, cholesterol, and diabetes. You can control all of these problems with the help of medication and by refraining from certain habits, which may aggravate these, thereby putting you at a higher risk of developing valve problems. We have listed some such unhealthy habits with the help of the leading heart specialist in Kolkata.

• Spending most of your day sitting: People who resort to a sedentary lifestyle have been found to be at a higher risk of developing valve-related conditions as such people fitted quite difficult to manage the risk factors like diabetes and hypertension. It has been found that people who do not move very often and sit in one place for 5 to 6 hours, at a stretch, her highly vulnerable to heart failure. Hence it is very important to keep moving and even if you have to sit in one place because of your work, try to take breaks after regular intervals and take a stroll to keep the blood flowing through your veins. You can also try to lift your legs and feet while sitting on a chair in front of your computer screen.

• Drinking beyond the safety limits - Drinking alcohol is safe for you as long as you are not crossing the safety limits, however, if you do it, the habit is most likely to have a negative impact on your heart health. In fact, if you have existing heart disease, it is better you refrain from the practice altogether. Drinking may seem fun but, you surely don't want to do it for the sake of your heart health. You may drink a Cocktail occasionally or take a glass of wine once in a while, but make sure you do not consume it in excess.

• Taking too much stress - Taking stress is not going to do you any good, and it is definitely not going to solve your problems, but rather add to them by putting unnecessary strain on your heart. When you are under stress your body releases adrenaline, which is likely to elevate your heart rate as well as your blood pressure. When this happens on a regular basis it can damage your blood vessels and valves, thereby increasing your risks of having a heart attack or a stroke. Hence it is very important to work on yourself and your mental peace. Try to avoid stress and practice meditation to relieve the same. If you are finding a too difficult to manage the problem on your own, consult a specialist in the field to help you.

• Taking too much salt - Adding salt helps to add taste to your food but the same salt may also be putting you at a high risk of developing a valve problem. Excessive sodium intake can put an unnecessary strain on your heart as well as your kidneys. It can disrupt the normal fluid balance in your body and cause your blood pressure to spike up. This does not mean that you need to refrain from adding salt to food, but try the make sure that you are not putting in too much of it. Also, try to choose your salt wisely and prefer low-sodium salts over regular ones. If you have hypertension, you might have to consult a doctor and discuss your options.

All these habits can affect your valves negatively and lead to serious health issues, so it is better that you start identifying these and try to make healthy changes that will not on helping to keep your valves healthy but your body as a whole. If you want to know more about heart valve problems and how you can reduce the risks of the same, book an appointment with the experts from the today.