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Types of Valvular Heart Disease and ACLS Classes in Memphis


The heart has four chambers with the two upper chambers being the left and right atrium, and the two lower chambers being the left and right ventricle. The four valves at the exit of each chamber maintain one-way continuous flow of blood through the heart to the lungs and the rest of the body. The four valves include tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve, mitral valve and aortic valve. Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of the valves do not open or close properly. Multiple valvular disease is when it affects more than one cardiac valve.

Get trained in the life-saving CPR techniques for being able to efficiently deal with cardiac emergencies like a cardiac arrest or myocardial infarction. If you belong to the Memphis region in Tennessee, you can sign up for a program at the AHA certified CPR Memphis. A student becomes eligible for a certification after successfully passing a skills test and written exam. There are courses for both healthcare and non-healthcare providers with an ACLS class Memphis being a program for advanced healthcare professionals.

ACLS Training Classes- The American Heart Association ACLS class is designed for Healthcare and Emergency Medical Professionals such as physicians, nurses, paramedics, physician assistants, surgeons and all other medically related professionals that must be prepared to handle a crisis situation. ACLS courses revolve around teaching team communication in response to immediate and post cardiac arrest care. Skills such as managing airways, initiating IV’s, understanding ECG’s and emergency pharmacology are all essential components in any AHA ACLS certification class.
The course fee is $297.

Types of Valvular Disease:
Remember
1.      Stenosis is when the valve opening becomes narrow and restricts blood flow.
2.      Prolapse is when a valve slips out of place or the valve flaps (leaflets) do not close properly.
3.      Regurgitation is when blood leaks backward through a valve, sometimes due to prolapse.
Valve disease can be classified as mild, moderate or severe.

Valvular Stenosis- The stiffening of cardiac valves can narrow the size of the valve opening and restrict blood flow. The narrowing is called valve stenosis which keeps the valve from opening fully and reduces the amount of blood that can flow through. 
1.      Tricuspid valve stenosis
2.      Pulmonary valve stenosis
3.      Mitral valve stenosis
4.      Aortic valve stenosis

Valvular Prolapse- This is a condition when the valve flaps (leaflets) slip out of place or form a bulge which can lead to improper or uneven closure of the cardiac valve resulting in blood leaking backwards through the valve and one-way blood flow may be disrupted.
1.      Mitral valve prolapse
2.      Tricuspid, pulmonary and aortic valve prolapse
Regurgitation- This condition takes place when the valve doesn’t close properly and allows blood to flow backwards which puts a strain on the heart thus reducing its pumping efficiency and limiting its ability to supply your body with oxygen-rich blood.
1.      Tricuspid valve regurgitation
2.      Pulmonary valve regurgitation
3.      Mitral valve regurgitation
4.      Aortic valve regurgitation

Causes:
1.      Congenital causes include congenital valvular heart disease, Bicuspid aortic valve disease and Marfan syndrome (genetic disorder that affects body’s connective tissue).
2.      Acquired causes include rheumatic fever, Infective (bacterial) endocarditis, radiation therapy and age.
3.      Coronary artery disease
4.      Damage to the heart muscle from myocardial infarction
5.      Other diseases of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)
6.      Metabolic disorders such as high blood cholesterol
7.      Tumor in the organ
8.      Certain medications.

Symptoms:
1.      Chest discomfort, pressure or tightness.
2.      Palpitations
3.      Shortness of breath
4.      Fatigue or weakness
5.      Light-headedness, dizziness or near fainting
6.      Swelling
Contact CPR Memphis on 901-438-4200 for more information on CPR courses or to join a program.

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