valve leaflet

[hollyweird02]

what does a thickend valve leaflet mean?

[kenkeith]

QUOTE: "what does a thickend valve leaflet mean"?

The forum does not provide a diagnosis and your doctor can provide more information.  Your information is sufficient to indicate  2 results possible when leaflets become stiffer (thicken).

The condition can narrow the valve opening reducing the amount of blood that can flow through it, and the condition is medically termed valvular stenosis when the tissues forming the leaflet become thickened and restrictive to normal blood flow.  If the narrowing is mild, the overall functioning of the heart may not be reduced. However, the valve can become so narrow (stenotic) that heart function is reduced, and the rest of the body may not receive adequate blood flow.

Another valvular heart disease condition, called valvular insufficiency (or regurgitation, incompetence, "leaky valve"), occurs when the leaflets do not close completely, letting blood leak backward across the valve.

A narrowed or stenotic valve requires the heart to pump harder.  An overworked heart , which can strain the heart and reduce blood flow to the body be the underlying cause for cardiomyopathy (dilated or heart wall thickening).  

A regurgitant (incompetent, insufficient, or leaky) valve does not close completely, letting blood move backward through the valve. My condition and the left ventricle dilated and reduced the heart's ability to adequately pump enough blood into circulation.  

Hope this helps to give you a perspective for consultation with your doctor.  Take care.

[lvhguy]

With no regurgitation involved? It means nothing.
Probably over-interpreted by a lazy cardiologist and inexperienced technologist who didnt turn off his harmonics feature while taking pictures of your heart.

Otherwise, it still means nothing. A thickened mitral valve does not mean anything by itself. Annoying that you didnt include more info. to help more

[kenkeith]

The heart valves are a one-way for blood flow through the heart.  The orifice is the opening of the valve and to prevent back flow of the blood the leaflets close over the orifice.  The leaflet(s) can become calcified and not close off any backflow of blood (regurgitation).  The regurgitation is graded from mild to severe.  

There may not be any symptoms unless or until the regurgitation is moderate to severe.  The symptoms would be shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, etc.

Thanks for the question and if you have any followup questions you are welcome to respond.  Take care.