Is it rare to have four heart valves?
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Dr. John R. Doty of Intermountain Healthcare answered:Actually, no. Most people have four heart valves. It is unusual to be born with less than four heart valves. If a valve is missing or absent, this is known as "atresia." This is usually evident at birth and such children often need congenital heart surgery.Actually, no. Most people have four heart valves. It is unusual to be born with less than four heart valves. If a valve is missing or absent, this is known as "atresia." This is usually evident at birth and such children often need congenital heart... More -
Dr. David Adams of The Mount Sinai Medical Center answered:The human heart has four valves that control the direction of blood flow through the circulatory system. Normal valves act like a one-way door to allow blood flow through the heart in only one direction.
The aortic and mitral valves are on the left side of the heart where the flow of oxygen-rich blood moves from the lungs to the body. The pulmonic and tricuspid valves are on the right side of the heart where oxygen-depleted blood moves from the body to the lungs.
The human heart has four valves that control the direction of blood flow through the circulatory system. Normal valves act like a one-way door to allow blood flow through the heart in only one direction. The aortic and mitral valves are on the... More
