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WHEN THE VALVES AND CHAMBERS IN YOUR HEART AREN'T WORKING CORRECTLY, ASPECIALIZED HEART TEAM WITH EXPERIENCE CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE. STRUCTURAL HEART DISEASE describes any defect with the anatomy of your heart or chambers. Whether it's the valves that control blood fl ow, the chambers that make up your heart or a problem with the aorta, structural heart disease can lower your quality of life and put you at increased risk for potentially life-threatening heart health concerns, such as heart failure or stroke. Some common structural heart problems include: � Valve stenosis (narrowing). When blood fl ows from one area of the heart or body to another, it passes through a valve, which acts as a gateway in or out of the heart. The aortic valve controls blood fl ow from the heart to the rest of the body. The mitral valve controls blood fl ow between the two chambers on the left side of the heart. And the pulmonary valve controls blood fl ow out of the heart and into the lungs. All can have narrowing. Left untreated, valve stenosis can cause irregular heartbeat, stroke, heart failure or loss of life. � Mitral valve regurgitation. When the mitral valve does not close properly, it can allow blood to fl ow backward, leading to heart failure and arrhythmia. Degenerative mitral regurgitation (wear and tear) along with mitral valve regurgitation caused by other conditions, such as coronary artery disease or heart muscle problems, are common causes of mitral regurgitation. If severe enough, mitral valve regurgitation can cause heart failure. � Atrial septal defect (ASD). A wall of tissue separates the upper chambers of the heart. An ASD is a hole in the tissue that allows oxygen-rich blood to fl ow into the oxygen-poor part of the heart. Symptoms vary depending on the size of the hole. Treatment Requires a SkilledTeam Although medications can sometimes be used to manage symptoms of structural heart problems, surgery or a minimally invasive procedure may be the best treatment option. Structural Heart Problems SOLVING 8 KentuckyOne Health | KentuckyOneHealth.org