2006-09-01 04:46:47 · 4 answers · asked by John 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
The heart pumps blood by squeezing the chambers to build pressure and force the blood out (into other chambers, lungs, or to the rest of the body). When there are valve deformities, it can be difficult to build adequate pressure to pump the blood 'forward' (or the direction it is supposed to go). When the heart has a hard time pumping blood forward, it limits cardiac function.
To illustrate this, consider a tube of cookie dough (the stuff you can buy in the refrigerator section). If you cut off one end, then squeeze in the middle, the cookie dough is forced out of the tube. However if you cut off both ends then squeeze in the middle, you would get cookie dough out both ends. The amount of dough that went out the 'front' end would be less in the case with both ends cut open than the case with just the 'front' end cut open. When you have a valve deformity, the valve on the 'back' end is open and you don't get as much forward flow of blood when the heart pumps. This results in reduced cardiac function.
2006-09-01 06:46:14 · answer #1 · answered by anza_1 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Valve problems can be classified into 2 general varieties; valvular insufficiency and valvular regurgitation. With insufficiency the valve fails to open enough to allow unrestricted flow, but closes normally. With regurgitation the valve opens normally but fails to close tightly causing retrograde flow. It is possible for a valve to have both defects. There are also varying degrees of malfunction from inconsequential to life threatening. In any case the ultimate result is decreased cardiac output.
2006-09-02 00:22:45 · answer #2 · answered by lampoilman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
deformities in the valves limit cardiac function due to inadequate seal in different chambers of the heart. normal right ventricular contraction should be enough to pump blood to the lungs for oxygenation and left ventricular contraction to the aorta with oxygenated blood....if valves have deformities....cardiac output will be adversely affected..........and heart needs to compensate....
2006-09-02 00:05:38 · answer #3 · answered by ♦cat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the chambers of the heart aren't tightly sealed, then blood that isn't oxygenated can leak back into the chamber and mix with the stuff that IS oxygenated. That means less oxygen overall is being sent around the body, so less is available for your body's needs.
2006-09-01 04:50:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋