Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Professional (CCRP) Practice Test

Insufficiency, in the context of heart valves, refers to the condition where a valve does not close completely. This inability to form a proper seal allows blood to leak backward through the valve, leading to regurgitation. This backward flow can cause the heart to work harder to pump blood effectively, resulting in symptoms and complications such as heart enlargement or heart failure over time. Understanding this condition is crucial because it affects how the heart functions and how blood circulates within the body.

In contrast, valve narrowing describes a condition known as stenosis, where a valve opening becomes too small for normal blood flow. Complete blockage of blood flow pertains to occlusions or blockages that typically occur in blood vessels rather than valves specifically. Increased blood volume can occur due to various factors, such as fluid retention or increased blood production, but it does not directly relate to the valve's inability to close adequately. Each of these terms represents different cardiovascular issues, making the understanding of insufficiency particularly important for patients with heart valve problems.