The heart has four valves. They are the aortic, pulmonary, tricuspid, and mitral valves. The valves open and close to keep blood moving in the right direction through the heart. Blood moves through the heart as it beats. With each squeeze, the valves open and close to keep blood moving forward. In this way, valves keep blood moving as well as possible through the heart. They also prevent backflow.
When the heart relaxes between beats:
-
Oxygen-rich blood from the lungs fills the left atrium.
-
Oxygen-poor blood from the body fills the right atrium.
When the atria beat:
-
The left atrium squeezes. This pushes blood through the mitral valve into the left ventricle.
-
The right atrium squeezes. This pushes blood through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle.
When the ventricles beat:
-
The left ventricle squeezes. This pushes blood through the aortic valve out to the heart arteries, the brain, and body.
-
The right ventricle squeezes. This pushes blood through the pulmonary valve to the lungs.
Find a cardiac specialist
Because every beat matters, our cardiac doctors are dedicated to providing care like no other can.
Related Articles
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a type of thickening or hardening of the arteries caused by a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of an artery. It can increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other circulatory conditions.
Unstable Angina
There are 2 types of angina, stable and unstable. Stable angina occurs at certain times and can often be managed. Unstable angina occurs at uncertain times. It may not get better with the usual forms of treatment for angina. It is a warning that a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction) is possible in the near future.
Heart Valve Problems
Valve disease occurs when a valve doesn't open or close the way it should. If a valve doesn't open all the way, the heart has to push blood through a smaller opening. If the valve doesn't close tightly, some blood will leak backward.
Pericarditis
Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac that surrounds the heart. Read on to learn details, such as causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and complications.
