What does it mean when the heart doesn't close properly?

Heart valve insufficiency refers to improper closure of the heart valves, which may be caused by physiological or pathological factors, such as congenital heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, etc. Specific details are as follows:

I. Physiological Causes

With increasing age, some elderly individuals may develop degenerative changes in the heart, leading to inadequate closure of the heart valves. This is considered a normal physiological phenomenon and generally does not require treatment.

II. Pathological Causes

1. Congenital Heart Disease

Patients with congenital heart defects, such as atrial septal defect or ventricular septal defect, may develop heart valve insufficiency. This can be improved through surgical procedures such as atrial septal defect repair or ventricular septal defect repair under medical guidance.

2. Rheumatic Heart Disease

Rheumatic fever caused by streptococcal infection can affect the heart valves, resulting in valve insufficiency. Treatment may include medications such as Benzathine Penicillin Injection and enteric-coated Aspirin tablets, under medical supervision. In severe cases, valve repair surgery or artificial valve replacement may be necessary.

Besides the above causes, heart valve insufficiency may also result from factors such as heart failure. Patients are advised to seek timely medical attention when experiencing symptoms to avoid delays in treatment.