Which valve is most commonly affected by disease?

The aortic valve is most commonly affected by disease, particularly conditions such as aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation. This is largely due to the high pressures that the aortic valve has to withstand during the cardiac cycle, as it regulates blood flow from the heart into the aorta and onward to the rest of the body. Over time, factors such as age, congenital defects, or degenerative diseases can lead to the calcification and stiffening of the aortic valve, which significantly impacts its function.

Other valves, while they can also be affected by disease, typically do not experience the same prevalence of issues as the aortic valve. For instance, the mitral valve is another common site of pathology, often influenced by conditions like mitral valve prolapse or regurgitation, but the aortic valve remains at the forefront due to its critical role in hemodynamics and the mechanical stress it endures. The pulmonary and tricuspid valves tend to experience diseases less frequently as they typically operate under lower pressure compared to the aortic valve. This makes the aortic valve's functionality and associated diseases particularly noteworthy in cardiovascular health discussions.