Medically Reviewed by Alan M. Blaker, MD

Stenosis, from the Greek meaning “narrowing.”  Leaking, from the plumbing, meaning “drippy” or “to escape.”

These terms refer to problems that can arise with your heart valves.  McLeod Cardiologist Alan Blaker offers some insight into faulty heart valves:

Here are a few notes from Dr. Blaker’s video:

• A heart valve is tissue, whose job is to keep the blood flowing in one direction in the heart.
• The two valves that most commonly cause adults problems are on the left side of the heart – the aortic valve and the mitral valve.
• The job of the mitral valve is to direct the flow of blood from the top chamber of the heart to the bottom.
• If the mitral valve leaks, it can cause blood to flow back into the heart.  This is called regurgitation.
• It can lead to congestive heart failure or irregular heart beat.
• The aortic valve lets the blood out of the heart.
• If it becomes blocked or narrowed with buildups, called plaque, this is stenosis.
• If it becomes blocked, the blood can’t leave the heart and becomes stressed.
• Symptoms of heart valve problems include: chest discomfort, dizziness, shortness of breath, passing out and fatigue.

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