What is tricuspid regurgitation?

In order to understand tricuspid regurgitation, it helps to understand the basic anatomy of your heart.

Your heart is divided into four sections called chambers. The upper chambers are the left atrium and right atrium, and the lower chambers are the left ventricle and right ventricle. The left and right sides of the heart are separated by a wall of muscle called the septum.

The upper (atria) and lower (ventricles) chambers are connected. Openings called valves regulate blood flow in and out of the heart and between the chambers. The valves can be thought of like water faucets. They either open up and allow blood to flow freely, or close and stop the flow entirely.

Your tricuspid valve is the valve that separates your right atrium and right ventricle. Tricuspid regurgitation occurs when this valve doesn’t properly close. This can cause blood to flow back up into the right atrium when the right ventricle contracts. Over time, this condition can weaken your heart.

Tricuspid regurgitation is also known as tricuspid valve insufficiency.

Tricuspid regurgitation may not cause any recognizable symptoms at first. You’re more likely to experience symptoms if you also have pulmonary hypertension or high blood pressure.

Symptoms of tricuspid regurgitation include:

  • abdominal swelling
  • decreased urine output
  • foot and ankle swelling
  • general weakness
  • an irregular heart rhythm
  • swelling in the body
  • pulsing in your neck vein
  • unexplained fatigue

There are three main causes of tricuspid regurgitation:

Right ventricle dilation

The most common cause of tricuspid regurgitation is right ventricle dilation. The right ventricle is responsible for pumping blood from your heart to your lungs. When the right ventricle is forced to work extra hard at this task, it can dilate (or become larger) to compensate. This can cause the ring of tissue that support’s the tricuspid valve’s ability to open and close to dilate as well.

The enlargement can be a complication of many different disorders, including:

Infection

Infections can directly injure the tricuspid valve, eventually leading to tricuspid regurgitation. The most common of these infections is infective endocarditis.

Diet medications

The diet medications phentermine and fenfluramine — also known as “Fen-Phen” — have been linked to tricuspid regurgitation. These drugs, however, are now off the market and are no longer a common cause of tricuspid regurgitation.

Other causes

There are other possible causes of tricuspid regurgitation, although they are all fairly rare. They include:

Your doctor may suspect you have tricuspid regurgitation if you’re experiencing symptoms or if you have other diseases known to lead to the disorder.

During your appointment, your doctor will begin with a physical examination. Your doctor will also listen to your heart for the presence of a heart murmur. This abnormal heart sound can indicate that blood is flowing backward from the heart valve.

After listening to your heart, your doctor may order diagnostic tests. These can help your doctor visualize your heart’s valves. These tests may include:

Tricuspid regurgitation does not always need treatment. If your condition is not severe, your doctor may only recommend that you monitor your heart health at regular intervals to make sure the condition doesn’t progress.

Your doctor may prescribe a medication if you have an irregular heartbeat. Tricuspid regurgitation due to heart failure may be treated with medications that strengthen your heartbeat. Swelling can be treated with diuretics to promote the loss of fluids.

It may help to treat any underlying medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, to reduce the symptoms associated with tricuspid regurgitation.

In some instances, tricuspid regurgitation will require surgical repair. Surgeons also can replace the tricuspid valve.

If left untreated, tricuspid regurgitation can increase your risk of heart failure. It may also lead to weight loss, appetite loss, and cirrhosis of the liver.

Those with tricuspid regurgitation are at a greater risk for endocarditis, an infection of the heart.

If you have a problem with your tricuspid valve, it’s important to take steps to reduce your risk of endocarditis.

  • Take good care of your teeth and gums.
  • Tell all your doctors and dentists that you have a valve disease.
  • Take antibiotics to prevent infection before any invasive medical procedure or dental work.
  • Alert your doctor if you experience symptoms of an infection, such as fever, sore throat, and body aches.

Talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing the symptoms of tricuspid regurgitation so you can help keep your heart healthy.