Heart valve disease happens when one or more of the heart’s four valves do not work properly.
These valves act like small doors that open and close with every heartbeat, making sure blood moves in the right direction.
When a valve becomes stiff, narrow, or leaky, the heart has to work much harder to pump blood around the body.
The heart contains the aortic, mitral, pulmonary, and tricuspid valves. Every time the heart beats, these valves open to let blood move forward and then close to stop it from flowing backward. This keeps oxygen-rich blood moving to the lungs and the rest of the body.
Valve disease can develop for many reasons. Some people are born with a valve problem, while others develop it because of aging, infections, high blood pressure, or other heart diseases. As people grow older, the valves can become thicker and less flexible, making it harder for them to open and close normally.
Because the heart supplies blood and oxygen to every part of the body, damaged valves can affect many organs. The condition may develop slowly over many years, so people often do not notice the early warning signs.
One of the most common symptoms is shortness of breath. Some people become breathless when walking, climbing stairs, or exercising, while others find it difficult to breathe when lying flat. This can happen because blood flows backward and fluid builds up in the lungs.
Feeling unusually tired is another common sign. When the heart cannot pump enough blood, the body’s organs and muscles receive less oxygen. Even simple daily tasks may leave a person feeling exhausted.
Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, or even the stomach area can also occur. Poor heart function allows fluid to collect in the body, and some people notice rapid weight gain because of this extra fluid.
Some people experience heart palpitations. Their heartbeat may feel fast, hard, fluttering, or as if it skips a beat because the heart is trying to make up for the damaged valve.
Chest pain or discomfort may occur, especially with problems affecting the aortic valve. This often happens during physical activity when the heart needs to pump harder. Chest pain should always be checked by a doctor because it can have many causes.
Dizziness, light-headedness, or even fainting can also be warning signs. These symptoms may appear if the brain is not getting enough oxygen-rich blood.
A doctor may first notice a heart murmur during a routine examination. A murmur is an unusual swishing sound heard through a stethoscope and can be a clue that blood is flowing abnormally through a damaged valve.
To diagnose heart valve disease, doctors ask about symptoms, review medical history, and listen to the heart. The most important test is usually an echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to create moving pictures of the heart and shows how well the valves open, close, and control blood flow.
Early diagnosis can make a big difference. Some people only need regular check-ups and medicine, while others may need a procedure or surgery to repair or replace a damaged valve. Thanks to modern treatments, many people with heart valve disease continue to live active, healthy lives for many years.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk, and herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm.
For more health information, please see recent studies that olive oil may help you live longer, and vitamin D could help lower the risk of autoimmune diseases.
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