Heart valve disease happens when one or more of the valves in your heart do not work the way they should.
Your heart has four valves—called the aortic, mitral, pulmonary, and tricuspid valves.
These valves help control the direction of blood flow in the heart. They open and close at the right time with every heartbeat so that blood flows in the right direction.
If a valve doesn’t open or close properly, blood flow can be affected. This can cause a variety of symptoms and lead to serious health problems. Knowing the signs of heart valve disease can help people get the right treatment early.
One common symptom is shortness of breath. This can happen when you’re doing something active or even when you’re lying down. It happens because a faulty valve can cause blood to back up into the lungs. When this happens, fluid builds up and makes it harder to breathe.
Fatigue is also common. If your heart isn’t pumping well, your body may not get enough oxygen. This can make you feel tired, especially during activities that used to feel easy.
Swelling in the ankles, feet, or belly is another sign. When the heart can’t pump blood well, fluid can collect in the body. This can also cause sudden weight gain because your body is holding onto more water than usual.
Heart palpitations—or feeling like your heart is racing, fluttering, or pounding—can be another clue. These feelings happen when the heart struggles to keep a regular rhythm because of a problem with one of the valves.
Chest pain can sometimes occur, especially if the aortic valve is involved. You might feel this pain during exercise or any time the heart has to work harder to move blood through a narrow or leaky valve.
Some people may feel dizzy or even faint. This can happen if the brain isn’t getting enough blood. When a valve problem causes poor circulation, it can make you feel lightheaded.
A heart murmur is often the first thing a doctor might notice during a check-up. It’s not something you can feel, but a doctor can hear it using a stethoscope. It may sound like a whooshing or swishing noise and can mean that blood is moving in an unusual way because of a valve problem.
Symptoms of heart valve disease can appear slowly and may be mild at first. Some people don’t notice any symptoms for years, while others may see sudden changes. It’s also easy to confuse these signs with normal aging or other health issues. That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.
Doctors can check for heart valve disease by asking about your health, doing a physical exam, and using tests like an echocardiogram, which creates pictures of the heart using sound waves.
If found early, heart valve disease can often be treated with medicine or surgery to fix or replace the damaged valve.
In summary, heart valve disease can affect your daily life, but if you know what signs to look for, you can get help sooner. With proper treatment, many people go on to live active, healthy lives.
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