Six harmful lifestyle habits that threaten heart valve health
Experts state that heart valve diseases can also be seen at young ages, highlighting six critical habits against the risks of calcification and inflammation.
Cardiology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Taşar stated that heart valve diseases can also appear at young ages, and explained six harmful habits that directly disrupt the structure of heart valves as well as current non-surgical treatment methods.
Symptoms of the Disease and Reasons for Increase
Harmful habits brought by modern life and the increase in the elderly population are increasing the frequency of heart valve diseases worldwide.
When symptoms such as shortness of breath, getting tired easily, and dizziness are observed, it is necessary to consult a cardiology specialist without wasting time.
Smoking and Poor Nutrition Factor
Smoking damages the vessel walls, accelerates calcification, and is one of the biggest triggers for the narrowing of the aortic valve.
Dieting rich in saturated fats and processed foods leads to fat accumulation in the heart valves and early calcification.
Lack of Hygiene and Infection Risk
Regularly unfurled teeth and gum infections cause bacteria to mix into the blood and adhere to the heart valves.
This situation lays the groundwork for the emergence of infective endocarditis, which is a potentially fatal heart valve inflammation.
Sedentary Life and Excessive Salt
A sedentary lifestyle leads to obesity and high blood pressure, increasing the mechanical load and stress placed on the heart valves.
Excessive salt consumption also causes high blood pressure, leading to the continuous straining and early wear of the aortic and mitral valves.
Neglected Throat Infections
Failure to treat beta microbe infections developing during childhood and youth with antibiotics carries a great risk.
Neglecting these infections can turn into rheumatic heart disease in later years.
Non-Surgical Interventional Treatment Methods
As an alternative to open-heart surgery, modern interventional treatment methods can be applied by entering through the groin vessels.
Methods such as TAVI, MitraClip, TMVR, and Balloon Valvuloplasty provide patients with a comfortable and fast recovery process.