Most valves become calcified by atherosclerosis, which is a process that causes blockages in the arteries of the heart as well as the rest of the body. An inflammation can occur on the heart valve that leads to a reaction in the blood stream which promotes calcification.

How do you prevent heart valve calcification?

The primary option for treatment of calcification of the heart valves is surgery. For certain patients, focused ultrasound could provide a noninvasive alternative to surgery with less risk of complications – such as surgical wound healing or infection – at a lower cost.

Can you reverse heart valve calcification?

Currently no clinical therapy is available to prevent or reverse this type of vascular calcification. Some possible targets to block and regress calcification include local and circulating inhibitors of calcification as well as factors that may ameliorate vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis [2].