Valvular and Hypertensive Heart Disease

Valvular heart disease (VHD) refers to valvular dysfunction in the heart secondary to a number of possible etiologies, including degenerative disease, autoimmune and infectious causes, and even malignancy. Generally, VHD is a surgical problem, but early identification of the disease requires a thorough history and physical examination, especially via auscultation and the assessment of JVD and volume status. This assessment is complemented by imaging and laboratory evaluation, which can accurately quantify the extent of dysfunction and determine the best approach for therapeutic interventions, if necessary.

Hypertensive heart disease is a sort of catch-all term referring to the cardiac sequelae of chronically elevated blood pressure, causing dystrophic remodeling of the left ventricle, dilation and remodeling of the left atrium, and degenerative changes to the coronary arteries. Patients with hypertensive heart disease suffer from significantly increased morbidity and mortality.