Approved Research

Factors Affecting the Occurrence and Progression of Valvular Heart Disease.

Lay summary

Valvular heart disease is a common condition that can have serious health consequences. However, there is still much we don't know about what causes it and how to treat it effectively.

The project aims to study the risk factors increasing the risk of valular heart disease and factors that can slow down its progression. One idea we are exploring is whether having multiple pregnancies, called multiparity, increases the chances of developing valvular heart disease later in life. We are also looking at whether a medication called metformin, which is usually used to treat diabetes, can lower the risk of developing a specific type of valvular heart disease called stenotic valve disease.

Previous studies have suggested that pregnancy can induce changes in the heart valves, including valve regurgitation (a condition where blood flows back from the right ventricle to the right atrium of the heart), and subsequent pregnancies may further contribute to this phenomenon.

Moreover, Metformin showed potential as an anti-aging treatment. It has positive effects on the body and may extend disease-free survival in diabetes patients. Studies suggest metformin could help with valvular dysfunction, specifically in mitral and aortic valve stenosis by reducing the valve calcification.

The project is planned to span a duration of 36 months. By shedding light on the risk factors associated with valvular heart disease, the findings can inform healthcare practices and potentially guide the design of further studies aimed at exploring preventive measures to reduce the prevalence of these common conditions.