Valvular heart disease occurs if one or more of the heart’s valves doesn’t work well. In order to keep the blood flowing forward during its journey through the heart, there are valves between each of the heart’s pumping chambers.
- tricuspid valve: located between the right atrium and right ventricle
- pulmonary valve: located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery
- mitral valve: located between the left atrium and the left ventricle
- aortic valve: located between the left ventricle and the aorta
These valves have tissue flaps that open and close with each heartbeat. The flaps make sure blood flows in the right direction through the heart’s four chambers and to the rest of the body.