can a person survive with only one heart valve functioning?
All four valves are not essential. Many patients have Pulmonary regurg after a surgery for Fallot's tetrology. Other three valves are important but valve leaks are better tolerated on the rt side than on the left side. Stenosis of any valve causes obstruction to circulation and so it causes problems.
Everyone has correctly identified that there are 4 heart valves. The question of survival is producing a variance in the responses. This may be because you do not define what you mean by 'not functioning'. People may do reasonably well - at least initially - with varying degrees of stenosis and / or regurgitation of more than 1 heart valve. So Yes in a sense if I understand your question correctly a person may survive at least temporarily with only one heart valve functioning perfectly. Please bear in mind that you have not given much information for me to work with in answering your question. If I may be of further assistance please let me know. I wish you the very best of health and happiness and in all things may God bless. JR
Biological valve is made of human or animal tissue. These valves last 12 - 15 years, but you may not need to take blood thinners for life. Human body has a tendency to reject foreign material such as porcine valve. Medication can be used to retard this effect, but is not always successful. Biologic porcine heterograft - harvested aortic valve of pig that is preserved in glutaraldehyde and mounted on specially designed sewing ring.
This Site Might Help You. RE: how many valves does a human heart have? can a person survive with only one heart valve functioning?
The four valves in the heart are: * The two atrioventricular (AV) valves, which are between the atria and the ventricles, are the mitral valve and the tricuspid valve. * The two semilunar (SL) valves, which are in the arteries leaving the heart, are the aortic valve and the pulmonary valve. Possible Complications:- * Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), including atrial fibrillation and lethal arrhythmias * Clots to other areas * Endocarditis (infection of the heart valve) * Heart failure * Pulmonary emboli (blood clots in the lungs) * Stroke
