Risk factors

Several factors can increase your risk of tricuspid valve regurgitation, including:

• Infections such as infective endocarditis or rheumatic fever. These infections can cause damage to the tricuspid valve.
• A heart attack. A heart attack can damage your heart and affect the right ventricle and function of the tricuspid valve.
• Heart failure. Heart failure can increase your risk of developing tricuspid valve regurgitation.
• Pulmonary hypertension. High blood pressure in the arteries in your lungs (pulmonary hypertension) can increase your risk of tricuspid valve regurgitation.
• Heart disease. Several forms of heart disease and heart valve disease may increase your risk of developing tricuspid valve regurgitation.
• Congenital heart disease. You may be born with a condition or heart defect that affects your tricuspid valve, such as Ebstein's anomaly.
• Use of certain medications. If you've used stimulant medications such as fenfluramine (no longer sold on the market) or some medications for Parkinson's disease, such as pergolide (no longer sold in the United States) or cabergoline, or certain migraine medications (ergot alkaloids), you may have an increased risk of tricuspid valve regurgitation.
• Radiation. Chest radiation may damage the tricuspid valve and cause tricuspid valve regurgitation.