How to Manage Inflammation for Better Heart Valve Health

The recent news headlines of young athletes dying during competition is placing the spotlight on a problem that mostly affects older Americans. The aortic value controls the rate of blood leaving your heart, flowing into your aorta and then around your body. When that valve narrows then it malfunctions. A new study shows that a specific type of inflammation plays a key role in the deterioration of the valve.

In medical terms the problem is called aortic valve stenosis – abnormal narrowing of the aortic valve.  In cases of young athletes with problems it is usually a congenital defect. In the not-to-distant past it was caused by rheumatic fever during childhood, a problem my mother had that eventually led to her heart failure on her 80th birthday. As our life expectancy grows, more and more older adults are manifesting heart valve problems as part of a wear and tear picture of aging. That is more common in men than in women. 

The problem causes your heart to work harder while reducing the proper flow of blood to your body. Typical symptoms are increased and sustained perception of one’s own pounding heartbeat, fatigue, shortness of breath with exertion, dizziness, fainting, and chest pain – any or all of which could be caused by multiple other reasons. Any person with signs of heart failure may have a valve problem as part or all of the cause.  Children with a significant problem tend to be unusually tired, sweaty, and have rapid shallow breathing.

This is a problem that a doctor listening through a stethoscope can hear, and further medical evaluation can define the severity of the problem (typically echocardiography).  In more serious cases some type of medical intervention is typically suggested, whereas in milder cases there may be some restrictions placed on competitive activity.

As part of a wear and tear picture of the aging process, the problem is a combination of increased calcification of the valve combined with inflammation-driven alteration of the value matrix structure. Radiation exposure to the chest via x-ray, CT scans, and ironically heart scans can worsen valve health. Acute and low grade infections cause toxic and inflammatory distress to the heart valve (floss for better cardio health).  A poor quality pro-inflammatory diet adds insult to injury. Taking blood pressure medication with this problem is highly problematic, as the increase in heart pumping pressure is trying to compensate for the problem. Not doing anything about the pressure build-up in the heart will lead to deterioration of the heart itself.  Ironically, the medication Coumadin, often given to these patients under the premise of reducing stroke risk, accelerates the rate of calcification of the valve. 

The new Swedish study analyzed gene expression patterns in aortic valve samples from human patients with aortic stenosis¹.  They found the inflammatory enzyme 5-lipoxygenase increased 160% in thickened tissue and 220% in calcified tissue – and comparing these findings back to the patients specific medical records they were able to correlate the degree of the valve problem with the amount of inflammation. This is a specific type of inflammation arising from fatty acid signaling wherein arachidonic acid is converted by the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme into excessive inflammatory leukotrienes Powerful inflammatory fatty molecules of the immune system that contribute to inflammation in asthma, allergic disorders, atherogenesis, and arterial wall remodeling. , which typically induces excess histamine release as well. 

The herb boswellia² is a proven inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, and standardized extracts of this herb now exist with proven ability to inhibit this enzyme³.  Quercetin⁴ is another natural compound with widespread scientific acceptance of its 5-lipoxygenase inhibiting activity. Of course, stabilizing cell membranes with adequate DHA Docosahexaenoic acid Essential omega 3 fatty acid integral to the health of all cell membranes, nerve and brain function. Must be gotten through the diet via cold water oceanic fish or some very limited plant sources or taken as a supplement. will automatically help lower arachidonic acid amounts in cell membranes and thereby make them less inflammatory in the first place.  All of these solutions work best in conjunction with a healthier diet.

Also of importance is maximizing the intake of vitamin D and vitamin K so as to prevent calcium from contributing to the calcification of the valve.
These tips do not replace appropriate medical care in any way. They are provided as information to help individuals understand how to offset wear and tear and help maintain valves in good working order and be the best they can be.