The heart has two sides (right and left) and four chambers.
- The upper two chambers are called atria. The right atrium collects blood coming in from the body. The left atrium collects blood coming in from the lungs.
- The lower two chambers are called ventricles. They collect blood from the atria and pump it out. The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs. The left ventricle pumps blood through the aorta (the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body) to the rest of the body.
The heart has four valves (aortic, mitral, tricuspid, and pulmonary). Each valve has two jobs:
- Open, so blood can flow out of the chamber
- Close, so blood does not flow back the wrong way
Valve problems include:
- Stenosis is when a valve does not open wide enough and blocks blood flow.
- Regurgitation occurs when a valve does not close all the way and leaks. This lets blood flow in the wrong direction.
Most Common Heart Valve Problems in Older Adults
Aortic stenosis
This happens when the aortic valve is partly blocked. This reduces blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta and to the rest of the body. This is the most common valve problem in older adults.
Mitral regurgitation
This occurs when blood leaks backward through the mitral valve, from the left ventricle back into the left atrium.
Not all heart valve problems need treatment. Some valve problems are very mild and may not cause any symptoms. But some valve problems can affect a person’s quality of life. These may need medicine, a procedure, or surgery.
Recent advances in repairing and replacing heart valves have allowed more older adults to benefit from these procedures.
Last Updated May 2026