A heartbeat represents not only a life–sustaining biological event, but also an exercise in mechanical precision. With every contraction, blood flows into, through, and out of the heart. In fact, the heart moves about 100 gallons (379 liters) of blood through the circulatory system every hour. Blood is pumped through the heart in only one direction. Heart valves play key roles in regulating this one–directional blood flow, opening and closing with each heartbeat.
Types of Valve disease
Diseases of the heart valves are classified according to which valve or valves are involved and the amount of blood flow that is disrupted by the problem. The most frequent and serious valve problems involve the mitral and aortic valves. Disease of the tricuspid and pulmonary valves is relatively rare.
