Glowing tricuspid valve within a heart, symbolizing advancements in cardiac health.

The Forgotten Valve: Understanding Tricuspid Regurgitation and Its Impact on Heart Health

Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Why the tricuspid valve is gaining attention, and what new research reveals about diagnosing and treating this common heart condition."

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR), a condition where the tricuspid valve doesn't close properly, causing blood to flow backward, is more than just a medical term. It's a progressive issue that can significantly impact your health. Recent studies highlight that TR is associated with increased mortality across various disease states, bringing the once-overlooked tricuspid valve into the spotlight.

For years, the tricuspid valve played a supporting role in the cardiology world, often overshadowed by its more famous counterparts, the mitral and aortic valves. But times are changing. It’s estimated that 1.2% to 1.5% of the general population may have more than moderate TR, with functional or secondary TR being the most common culprit. This type of TR often stems from other heart issues like right ventricular dilatation, pulmonary hypertension, or even left-sided valve disease.

The challenge with TR is that it often goes undiagnosed or is detected late, contributing to higher operative mortality rates for isolated TV surgery. Factors such as a lack of clear guidelines for intervention, difficulties in accurately diagnosing severe cases, and a general underestimation of TR’s progression all play a role.

What Causes Tricuspid Regurgitation?

Glowing tricuspid valve within a heart, symbolizing advancements in cardiac health.

Functional TR, the most common type, arises as a consequence of other cardiac conditions. When the right ventricle (RV) dilates due to conditions like pulmonary hypertension or left-sided heart failure, it pulls on the tricuspid valve annulus, the ring of tissue that supports the valve. This distortion prevents the valve leaflets from closing properly, leading to regurgitation.

Isolated annular dilatation, where the annulus widens without any other apparent heart disease, can also lead to TR. In these cases, the valve leaflets themselves may be normal, but the enlarged annulus prevents them from meeting correctly.

Right Ventricular Dilatation: Enlargement of the right ventricle due to pulmonary hypertension or left heart failure.
Pulmonary Hypertension: High blood pressure in the arteries leading to the lungs.
Left-Sided Valve Disease: Issues with the mitral or aortic valves impacting the right side of the heart.
Isolated Annular Dilatation: Widening of the tricuspid valve annulus without other cardiac issues.

Recognizing the causes of TR is the first step in addressing this often-underestimated condition. Understanding the underlying factors can pave the way for more effective and timely interventions.

Looking Ahead: Improving TR Diagnosis and Treatment

As research continues, the future of TR management looks promising. With a greater understanding of the tricuspid annulus and the development of more precise diagnostic tools, healthcare professionals are better equipped to identify and treat TR early, potentially preventing the progression of heart disease and improving patient outcomes.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2017.11.042, Alternate LINK

Title: Tricuspid Annular Morphology

Subject: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Journal: JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Rebecca T. Hahn

Published: 2019-03-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is tricuspid regurgitation, and why is it gaining so much attention now?

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) occurs when the tricuspid valve doesn't close correctly, causing blood to flow backward. This condition becomes significant when it starts impacting overall health. Recent research indicates TR is linked to increased mortality across various diseases, highlighting the importance of the tricuspid valve. If left unaddressed, TR can lead to complications related to increased pressure and volume overload in the right side of the heart, potentially worsening heart failure and affecting other organs.

What are the primary causes of functional tricuspid regurgitation?

Functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) typically develops as a result of other heart conditions. For instance, right ventricular dilatation, often due to pulmonary hypertension or left-sided heart failure, can pull on the tricuspid valve annulus, preventing the valve leaflets from closing properly. Isolated annular dilatation, where the annulus widens independently, can also lead to TR. Recognizing these underlying causes is crucial for effective management.

Why was the tricuspid valve historically overlooked in cardiology?

The tricuspid valve was often overlooked because conditions affecting the mitral and aortic valves were considered more prevalent and impactful. However, the increasing recognition of tricuspid regurgitation's (TR) prevalence (estimated 1.2% to 1.5% of the general population) and its association with adverse outcomes has brought it into the spotlight. The appreciation of functional or secondary TR stemming from other cardiac issues has also highlighted its importance.

What are the current challenges in accurately diagnosing tricuspid regurgitation?

Challenges in diagnosing tricuspid regurgitation (TR) include the lack of clear guidelines for intervention, the difficulty in accurately assessing the severity of TR, and the general underestimation of its progression. These factors contribute to delayed diagnoses and potentially higher operative mortality rates for isolated tricuspid valve surgery. Improved diagnostic tools and a better understanding of the tricuspid annulus are needed to address these challenges.

How is research improving the outlook for diagnosing and treating tricuspid regurgitation?

Research advancements offer hope for improved management of tricuspid regurgitation (TR). A greater understanding of the tricuspid annulus, coupled with the development of more precise diagnostic tools, could lead to earlier identification and treatment of TR. This proactive approach has the potential to prevent the progression of heart disease and improve patient outcomes, underscoring the growing importance of the tricuspid valve in comprehensive heart health strategies.