MURMURS

Underlying Defects: Two common defects that can cause a heart murmur are valvular defects and interseptal defects. Valvular defects refer to abnormalities of the valves that keep blood from flowing "backwards" into the heart chambers. A defective valve may allow blood to back up in the wrong direction, thereby, interrupting the normal flow of blood. More common in children, interseptal defects are small breaks in the partition that separates the left and right sides of the heart (septum). These breaks can allow blood to flow irregularly between the two sides.

Treatment: Most heart murmurs require no special treatment other than leading a healthy lifestyle in general-not smoking, reducing stress, eating healthy, and exercising regularly. Valvular defects can sometime be treated medically; however, if the valve is severely diseased or defective, surgery may be recommended to replace the damaged valve(s). Interseptal defects can also be treated surgically.

Taking care: Even though the majority of heart murmurs are due to minor irregularities and are not serious, it's important to see your doctor regularly to monitor your condition. By following your doctor's advice and making healthy lifestyle choices, you can be as healthy and active as ever.

MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE

The click Murmur Syndrome: Even though the majority of heart murmurs are due to minor irregularities and are not serious, it's important to see your doctor regularly to monitor your condition. By following your doctor's advice and making healthy lifestyle choices, you can be as healthy and active as ever.

Diagnosing MVP: Even though the majority of heart murmurs are due to minor irregularities and are not serious, it's important to see your doctor regularly to monitor your condition. By following your doctor's advice and making healthy lifestyle choices, you can be as healthy and active as ever.

If you have MVP: Even though the majority of heart murmurs are due to minor irregularities and are not serious, it's important to see your doctor regularly to monitor your condition. By following your doctor's advice and making healthy lifestyle choices, you can be as healthy and active as ever.

BACTERIAL ENDOCARDITIS

What it is: Even though the majority of heart murmurs are due to minor irregularities and are not serious, it's important to see your doctor regularly to monitor your condition. By following your doctor's advice and making healthy lifestyle choices, you can be as healthy and active as ever.

How it can be prevented: Even though the majority of heart murmurs are due to minor irregularities and are not serious, it's important to see your doctor regularly to monitor your condition. By following your doctor's advice and making healthy lifestyle choices, you can be as healthy and active as ever.

EKG AND ECHOCARDIOGRAM

Testing your heart Function: Most of us will have a heart function test at some time in our lives. In fact, many physicians routinely recommend a "baseline" EKG after age 50. For the most part, however, EKGs and Echocardiograms are diagnostic tools that help your doctor assess your heart's function and identify whether or not a heart problem may exist. EKGs (electrocardiograms) chart your heart's electrical activity. Electrodes are placed on your chest, wrists, and ankles and are connected to a monitor that "reads" your heart's electrical impulses. These impulses are then translated into a visual graph. The patterns on the graph can tell your doctor whether or not your heart is contracting normally and if disease or damage is present. A standard EKG is performed when you are lying down to test your heart's function while you are at rest. Your physician may also want to perform a "stress EKG" (performed while you are on a treadmill) to test your heart's function under exertion.

How echocardiograms Work: An echocardiogram uses sound waves (sonar) to create a visual image of the heart itself. Sound waves are bounced off the heart by means of a small transducer placed on the chest. As the sound bounces or echoes off the heart structures, they are translated into visual images on a screen monitor. The images can reflect structural problems with the heart and its valves. Echocardiograms are performed while you are lying down, although you may be asked to switch positions frequently so that the technician can image your heart from a variety of angles.

The end result: EKGs and echocardiograms are diagnostic tools that your doctor uses to assess your heart's health, as well to diagnosis (or rule out) potential problems. If your physician has recommended that you have one or both of these tests, relax. `They are totally painless and take very little time, but they can provide your doctor with invaluable information about your heart.

HEART VALVE REPLACEMENT

Understanding heart surgery: The heart's valves are responsible for keeping blood flowing in a one-way direction within the heart. The valves most commonly affected by valvular heart disease are the mitral and aortic valves. When these valves become diseased or damaged, they may fail to open and close freely which can disrupt the normal flow of blood, and can result in excess strain on the heart muscle itself. If your doctor feels that your damaged heart valve should be replaced, the following information can help answer some of your questions.

Causes of Valvular Heart Disease: The heart's valves can become diseased or damaged from a variety of causes. Congenital defects (heart defects present at birth) may result in abnormally formed valves; rheumatic fever, and bacterial endocarditis (an infection of the heart valves) can cause the valves to become "hard" and unable to operate smoothly.

What to expect: The procedure itself is performed under general anesthesia (you will be completely "asleep" and will not feel anything). Most surgeries take an average of three to five hours to complete. Your initial recovery is in the intensive care unit of the hospital where you will be monitored closely. During this time, you will have several "tubes" to help you breathe normally, empty your bladder, and provide medications. Once your tubes are removed and your condition is stable, you are moved to your regular hospital room where your care includes physical and respiratory therapy as well as counseling on a heart healthy diet and exercise plan. Heart valve replacement is a major surgical procedure, and like any surgery does carry some risks, so it's important to discuss any possible complications with your physician beforehand.