As an interventional cardiologist, I would like to use Heart Valve Disease Awareness Week as an opportunity to shine a light on the tricuspid valve, which is often referred to as the “forgotten valve” in published literature.

Tricuspid valve regurgitation is a condition commonly seen by cardiologists and GPs in Australia, especially in elderly people.

It occurs when the valve between the two right heart chambers does not close properly, resulting in blood leaking backwards into the upper-right chamber of the heart.

If left untreated, this condition can ultimately cause heart failure.