The heart's valves open and close to keep blood flowing properly, with oxygenated blood flowing into the heart and blood needing oxygen flowing out. Valve disease occurs when the heart's valves do not function properly. Some disorders cause stenosis (narrowing) or obstruction of the valves, which forces the heart to work harder to pump blood to the body. Other valve disorders are characterized by the inability of valves to close completely. These regurgitation or insufficiency disorders allow blood to leak back through the valve into the heart. St. Joseph Hospital offers the latest therapies and treatments for valve disorders, from drug therapies to the most advanced open-heart surgery techniques.
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