Before reading this section you should make sure you know the basic structure,
nomenclature and function of the four heart valves.
Click here to see the valves in action
during the cardiac cycle (requires flash).
For the heart to function correctly and efficiently the proper opening and closing of the valves is critical. Unfortunately, the valves are subject to several different types of disorders, and though some of the disorders are mild and do not require treatment, a serious valve disorder can have a progressively debilitating effect, lead to heart failure, or even cause death.
Since valves only do two things (open and close) valve disorders are separated into two different categories: stenosis, and insufficiency. Stenosis is an inability of the valve to open correctly. Stenosis forces the heart to work harder by obstructing the forward flow of blood. Insufficiency is the inability of the valve to fully close, leaving a gap through which blood can leak backwards (regurgitation).
Of the four valves in the heart the two valves which are affected most by disorders are those of the left heart (mitral and aortic) because the more powerful contractions of the left ventricle put much more strain on these valves.
