The heart is the body’s blood pump and is divided into four chambers: the right atrium, the right ventricle, the left atrium and the left ventricle. The right atrium is connected to the right ventricle through the tricuspid valve, the right ventricle is connected to the pulmonary artery through the pulmonary valve, the left atrium is connected to the left ventricle through the mitral valve, and the left ventricle is connected to the aorta through the aortic valve. The heart valve is a very important structure in the heart because it acts as a “one-way valve” to ensure the one-way flow of blood. A normal heart valve can pass sufficient blood flow when it is open, and no blood returns when it is closed. Due to congenital or acquired causes, the heart valves lose their normal anatomical structure and physiological function, and when they open, blood flow is blocked, i.e., heart valve stenosis; when they close, blood returns, i.e., heart valve insufficiency; sometimes the same valve has both stenosis and insufficiency. When more than two valves are involved at the same time, it is called combined valve disease. The causes of heart valve disease: 1, rheumatic fever: rheumatic fever occurred in adolescence, invaded the valve, and gradually developed into rheumatic valve disease. Most of the manifestations are mitral stenosis lesions, which can be combined with mitral valve insufficiency and aortic and tricuspid valve lesions. Currently in China is the main cause of valve disease in young adults. 2, congenital malformations: valvular disease is present at birth. 3, endocarditis: valve damage caused by bacterial invasion of the valve. 4, mitral valve prolapse syndrome: mitral valve prolapses into the left atrium during heart contraction, resulting in incomplete closure, which has a higher incidence in western countries. 5, degenerative disease of the elderly: heart valve damage often occurs in the elderly. Other causes include: cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, hypertension, aortic aneurysm, connective tissue disease, trauma, etc. can be combined with heart valve lesions. Diagnosis of heart valve disease: When heart valve lesions occur, on the one hand, the heart burden increases, the heart enlarges, and heart function is impaired; on the other hand, the blood discharge of the heart decreases, and the blood supply of the body is inadequate, and heart failure occurs in about 50% to 70% of people with rheumatic heart disease, and heart failure is the main cause of death. Respiratory infections, rheumatic activities, heavy physical labor, pregnancy and childbirth can often induce cardiac insufficiency. Clinical manifestations include panic, shortness of breath, dyspnea, swelling of the lower limbs, and oliguria, and in severe cases, arrhythmia, hepatosplenomegaly, ascites, and even shock. Sudden cardiac death due to severe heart valve disease is not uncommon. Rheumatic heart valve disease is prone to arrhythmias, the most common of which are atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, when blood cannot flow smoothly into the left ventricle, and it is easy for wall thrombus to occur on the inner wall of the left atrium, and once the thrombus is dislodged, organ embolism can occur. Cerebral artery embolism is the most common, and cerebral embolism can be followed by paralysis of one side of the limb, distortion of the mouth and aphasia. Ultrasound of the heart is the best diagnostic aid to confirm the diagnosis of heart valve lesions. Heart valve disease treatment principles: 1, medical treatment: the main treatment is cardiac insufficiency. Under the guidance of doctors, take cardiac stimulants and diuretics; in the diet, avoid eating too much salt and eat light, easily digestible food as much as possible. Pay attention to the supplement of potassium salt. Rest properly, but do not stay in bed for a long time. When the heart function has recovered, you should also do some physical exercise within your ability, such as tai chi, qigong and other activities, so as to improve the body’s resistance ability and heart function. 2.Interventional treatment: Balloon dilatation surgery is strictly selected, and domestic patients are late for consultation, so there are fewer suitable patients. 3.Surgical treatment: Patients with significant symptoms and indications for surgery should undergo surgery as early as possible to avoid increasing the risk of surgery and affecting the long-term effect of surgery. Surgical procedures include two methods of heart valve repair and heart valve replacement. Heart valve repair is a more desirable surgical procedure. For some congenital valve tears, leaflet junction adhesions, leaflet prolapse, ischemic mitral valve insufficiency, mitral valve prolapse syndrome, and rheumatic valve insufficiency, repair surgery can often successfully re-establish valve function and achieve satisfactory long-term outcomes at a lower medical cost, and does not require anticoagulation therapy, avoiding complications associated with anticoagulation therapy. In contrast, for most rheumatic, infectious, and calcific valve diseases that cannot be surgically repaired, heart valve replacement surgery should be used. Understanding Prosthetic Heart Valves: Prosthetic valves can be divided into biologic and mechanical valves according to the materials used, and biologic and mechanical valves have their own advantages and disadvantages: mechanical valves are stable in durability and have a long valve life, but require lifelong anticoagulant therapy and regular or medically indicated coagulation testing to prevent thrombosis or bleeding; biologic valves have good histocompatibility and hemodynamic close to the physiological state, requiring only 3 months of strict anticoagulation after surgery, with the disadvantage of less durability, and the choice will be made by your doctor according to your requirements and condition.