Why might someone need an artificial heart valve?

An artificial heart valve is used primarily to replace damaged or leaky natural valves. The heart has four valves that play a crucial role in ensuring that blood flows in the correct direction. When these valves become diseased, they can either fail to open fully (stenosis) or fail to close completely (regurgitation), leading to compromised blood flow and overall heart function.

Replacing the damaged valve with an artificial one helps restore normal blood flow and alleviate symptoms associated with valve dysfunction, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations. The artificial valve can be made from synthetic materials or biologically derived tissues, and it performs the essential function of a natural valve by allowing blood to flow through while preventing backflow, ultimately improving the efficiency of the heart.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary purpose of an artificial heart valve. Increasing blood pressure or improving oxygen storage pertains to different aspects of cardiovascular health, while supporting blood cell production is related more to bone marrow and overall blood health, rather than the function of heart valves.