Re: Leaky tricuspid valve Re: Leaky tricuspid valve
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Posted by
Ken on August 22, 2000 at 09:15:25:
In Reply to: Leaky tricuspid valve posted by Lisa McDonald on August 21, 2000 at 14:43:39:
: Just trying to get info for a friend/co-worker of mine. Previously told she had a heart murmur and now told a leaky tricuspid. I told her i would find out what that meant in layman's term. Can anyone tell me what that means for her healthwise? Thanks in advance.
: lmcabbo@aol.com
: Lisa
Dear Lisa:
Although I do not have this condition, I am very active in heart support work.
Your heart has four (4) valves. In all cases, the valves prevent blood from flowing backward inbetween heart beats.
The Tricuspid valve is located between the right atrium (right upper chamber of the heart) and the right ventricle (right lower chamber of the heart). The right side of the heart receives "used" blood from the body into the right atrium. It passes through the Tricuspid valve into the right ventricle where it is pumped to the lungs in order to become "fresh" again.
Her doctor is the best source of information for what lies ahead for her since the severity of the leakage (the valve does not close completely) will determine treatment or possible future surgery.
To find out more about this subject, I suggest you visit the web site of The American Heart Assn. at http://www.americanheart.org. Click on their Heart & Stroke A-Z Guide, and either look up and click on Tricuspid Valve or Heart, How It Works. This will give you more detailed information.
Her heart murmur is caused by this leakage.
Ken
