Narrowing or leakage of heart valves can disturb blood flow and lead to breathlessness, fatigue and heart failure.
When to seek emergency care
If any of the following signs occur, call *3003 immediately — do not wait for a routine appointment:
- Chest pain with fainting
- Shortness of breath at rest
- Signs of acute pulmonary edema
- High fever with suspected valve infection
- Rapidly worsening swelling
What is it?
Valve disease may develop after rheumatic disease, age-related calcification, congenital valve anatomy, infection or enlargement of heart chambers. Early disease may be detected only by a murmur or echocardiography.
Symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Palpitations
- Leg swelling
- Dizziness or fainting
- Chest discomfort
Causes & risk factors
- Past rheumatic fever
- Age-related valve calcification
- Congenital valve structure
- Endocarditis
- High blood pressure
- Enlargement of the heart muscle
Diagnosis
Diagnosis should not rely on one test alone. Symptoms, risk factors, physical examination and investigation results are interpreted together.
- Listening for a heart murmur
- Echocardiography
- ECG
- Chest X-ray
- Blood tests
- Advanced imaging or catheterization in selected cases
Treatment approaches
Treatment is individualized according to severity, overall health, accompanying conditions, procedure risk and patient priorities.
- Regular follow-up
- Medication to control symptoms
- Rhythm and blood pressure control
- Discussion of valve repair or replacement
- Minimally invasive valve procedures in selected cases
How we help
Valve disease is assessed using echocardiography, symptoms and heart chamber measurements. Severe valve disease is discussed through a multidisciplinary approach, including referral when appropriate.
When a procedure may be needed
Intervention may be needed when narrowing or leakage becomes severe, causes symptoms, enlarges the heart chambers or raises lung artery pressure.
Patient checklist
- Keep copies of echocardiography reports
- Report worsening breathlessness or fatigue
- Do not ignore infections or dental problems
- Do not stop medication on your own
FAQ
Can valve disease be treated with tablets?
Medication can relieve some symptoms, but a severe mechanical valve problem may require an intervention.
How often should echocardiography be repeated?
The interval depends on the type and severity of valve disease and is set by the physician.
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