Heart valve disorders

Heart valve disorders affect one or more of your heart’s four valves — mitral, aortic, tricuspid or pulmonary — which control blood flow through the heart. Common issues include valve stenosis (valve doesn’t open fully), regurgitation (valve leaks), and prolapse (usually mitral valve).

Symptoms
Many people with mild valve disease have no symptoms and just need regular check-ups. When symptoms appear, they may include shortness of breath, fatigue, reduced activity, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, fainting or swelling in the legs or abdomen. Symptoms can develop slowly or worsen quickly if complications like heart failure or infection occur.

Causes and Risk Factors
Heart valve problems can develop due to age-related calcium buildup, congenital valve defects, past infections such as rheumatic fever, autoimmune conditions, or chest radiation. Risk factors include older age, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, previous heart conditions and congenital heart defects.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis starts with a detailed medical history and physical exam, often detecting a heart murmur. Tests may include transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with Doppler, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray, stress testing, cardiac MRI, CT or catheterization to assess valve function and heart pressures.

Severity and Monitoring
Valve disease can be mild, moderate or severe. Mild cases may only need periodic echocardiograms and symptom checks. Moderate or severe cases require closer monitoring and sometimes earlier referral to a specialist. Care plans are tailored based on which valve is affected, severity, symptoms and other heart conditions.

When to Seek Care
Contact your provider for new or worsening shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, leg swelling, sudden weight gain from fluid or fever with a new murmur. Seek emergency care immediately if you experience sudden severe shortness of breath, chest pain or loss of consciousness.

Goals of Care
Treatment aims to relieve symptoms, prevent complications like heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke and infections, and protect heart function. When needed, our team focuses on repairing or replacing the damaged valve using the safest approach for you.

What causes heart valve disorders? 
Age-related degeneration, congenital defects, past rheumatic fever, infections, connective tissue diseases, certain medications and chest radiation.

What symptoms should I watch for? 
Shortness of breath, fatigue, reduced activity, fluttering heartbeat, chest discomfort, lightheadedness, fainting and swelling in legs or abdomen. Some people have no symptoms initially.

How is valve disease diagnosed? 
After a physical exam and heart murmur evaluation, echocardiography with Doppler is the main test. Additional tests may include TEE, ECG, chest X-ray, stress testing, cardiac MRI, CT or catheterization.

Can valve disease be treated without surgery? 
Yes. Mild cases may be monitored and managed with medications or procedures like balloon valvuloplasty. Moderate disease is closely monitored and treated as needed.

When is valve repair or replacement needed? 
Severe disease with symptoms, declining heart function, or complications may require repair or replacement. Options include surgical repair, mechanical or tissue valve replacement and less-invasive procedures like TAVR.

What are the risks and recovery after surgery or TAVR? 
Open-heart surgery has a longer recovery, with risks like bleeding, infection, stroke or anesthesia complications. Valve repair often allows faster recovery. TAVR is less invasive with shorter recovery but is not suitable for everyone.

Will I need antibiotics before dental or other procedures? 
Most patients do not. Antibiotics are reserved for high-risk individuals, such as certain valve replacements or prior infections. Follow your healthcare practitioner's guidance.

Can I live a normal life with a valve disorder? 
Many people do, especially with early diagnosis and proper management. A heart-healthy diet, staying active, and managing blood pressure and cholesterol help. For guidance on work, travel, or pregnancy speak with your care team.

How often will I need follow-up? 
Follow-up depends on disease type and severity. Mild cases may need echocardiograms every 1–3 years; moderate or severe cases require more frequent visits.

When should I seek emergency care? 
Call emergency services for sudden severe shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, sudden symptom changes or fever with a new murmur.

Contact your healthcare practitioner for questions or new symptoms to get advice and care tailored to your situation.