Valvular Heart Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Explore valvular heart disease, its causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Understand how timely diagnosis and care can protect your heart health.
Written by Dr. Dhankecha Mayank Dineshbhai
Reviewed by Dr. Vasanthasree Nair MBBS
Last updated on 23rd Sep, 2025
Introduction
Your heart is a powerful, intricate pump, and its valves are the crucial gates that keep blood flowing in the right direction. When these valves malfunction, it can lead to valvular heart disease (VHD), a condition affecting millions. But what does that mean for you? This guide breaks down everything you need to know from the subtle early signs to the latest life-saving treatments. Understanding valvular heart disease is the first step toward managing it effectively and maintaining your quality of life. We’ll explore the causes, demystify the symptoms, and walk you through the modern diagnostic and treatment pathways that can help you stay ahead of this condition.
What is Valvular Heart Disease?
Valvular heart disease occurs when one or more of your heart's four valves don't work properly. This can disrupt the smooth, efficient flow of blood through your heart and to the rest of your body. To understand VHD, it helps to first know what the valves do.
The Four Valves of Your Heart and Their Roles
Your heart has four chambers, and each has a valve that acts as a one-way door.
1. Tricuspid Valve: Controls blood flow between the right atrium and right ventricle.
2. Pulmonary Valve: Controls blood flow from the right ventricle to the lungs.
3. Mitral Valve: Controls blood flow between the left atrium and left ventricle.
4. Aortic Valve: Controls blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta (the main artery to your body).
A healthy valve opens fully to let blood pass and closes tightly to prevent any backflow.
The Two Main Types of Valve Problems
There are two primary ways a valve can fail, and sometimes both can occur in the same valve.
Valve Stenosis: When Your Valve Narrowes
This happens when a valve’s leaflets become thick, stiff, or fuse together. It’s like a sticky door that won’t open all the way. The heart must then work much harder to pump blood through the narrowed opening. Aortic valve stenosis is a common and particularly serious form of this.
Valve Regurgitation: When Your Valve Leaks
Also called insufficiency or a "leaky valve," this occurs when a valve doesn't close tightly. Blood leaks backward instead of moving forward efficiently. It forces the heart to work harder to pump the same blood repeatedly. Mitral valve regurgitation is a frequent example.
Consult a Cardiologist for the best advice
What Causes Heart Valve Disease?
The causes of valvular heart disease are varied, and understanding the origin can help guide treatment.
Age-Related Wear and Tear
The most common cause is simply ageing. Over decades, calcium deposits can build up on the valves, making them stiff and narrow. This is why aortic stenosis is often seen in older adults.
Congenital Heart Defects
Some people are born with abnormally shaped valves. The most common is a bicuspid aortic valve, where the valve has two leaflets instead of the normal three. This can lead to problems earlier in life.
Other Key Causes: Infections and Other Conditions
- Rheumatic Fever: A complication of strep throat that can cause permanent scarring of the heart valves. This is less common today but was a major cause in the past.
- Endocarditis: A serious infection of the heart's inner lining that can destroy valves.
- Other Conditions: Heart attack, cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease), hypertension (highblood pressure), and radiation therapy to the chest can also damage heart valves.
Recognising the Symptoms of Valve Disease
Valve disease is often a "slow burn." Many people have no symptoms for years, even with significant valve dysfunction. When symptoms do appear, they often indicate the disease is progressing.
Early Signs You Might Miss
Early symptoms can be vague and easily attributed to ageing or being out of shape. They include:
- Unusual fatigue during normal activities
- Shortness of breath, especially when exerting yourself or lying flat
- Heart palpitations or a feeling of a fluttering heartbeat
Symptoms of Progressive Valve Disease
As the heart struggles harder, symptoms become more pronounced:
- Severe shortness of breath even at rest
- Chest pain (angina) or tightness, particularly during activity
- Dizziness or fainting (syncope)
- Swelling (edema) in your ankles, feet, or abdomen
- Rapid weight gain due to fluid buildup
If you experience any symptoms of a leaky heart valve or stenosis, especially chest pain or fainting, it's crucial to seek medical evaluation. If these symptoms persist, consult a doctor online with Apollo24|7 for further evaluation.
How is Valvular Heart Disease Diagnosed?
Often, the first hint of a problem is discovered during a routine physical exam. A definitive diagnosis, however, requires specific tests.
The First Clue: Listening for a Heart Murmur
Using a stethoscope, a doctor can hear a "whooshing" or swishing sound between heartbeats. This is called a heart murmur and is the sound of turbulent blood flow through a damaged valve. Not all murmurs are dangerous, but they always warrant investigation.
The Gold Standard: The Echocardiogram
This is the most important test for diagnosing VHD. It’s a painless ultrasound of your heart that creates moving pictures. It allows doctors to see the valve structure, measure blood flow, and assess the severity of the stenosis or regurgitation.
Other Diagnostic Tests
- Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG): Records the heart's electrical activity to check for arrhythmias.
- Chest X-ray: Shows the size and shape of the heart and can reveal fluid in the lungs.
- Cardiac MRI: Provides highly detailed images of the heart structures.
- Stress Test: Monitors heart function during exercise.
- Cardiac Catheterisation: Measures pressures inside the heart chambers and is sometimes used to confirm findings before surgery.
Modern Treatment Options for Valve Disease
Treatment isn't one-size-fits-all. It depends on the valve affected, the type and severity of disease, your symptoms, and your overall health.
Monitoring and Medication
If the disease is mild and asymptomatic, the best approach may be careful monitoring with regular echocardiograms. Medications cannot fix a damaged valve, but they can manage symptoms and reduce strain on the heart. These include drugs to lower blood pressure, prevent fluid retention, or control heart rhythm.
Minimally Invasive Procedures (TAVR & MitraClip)
This is a revolutionary area of treatment for patients who are high-risk for open surgery.
- TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement): For aortic stenosis treatment, a new valve is delivered via a catheter through an artery in the leg or the chest, replacing the old valve without open-heart surgery.
- MitraClip: For mitral regurgitation, a small clip is delivered via catheter to clip the leaky valve leaflets together, significantly reducing leakage.
Surgical Valve Repair and Replacement
When possible, surgeons prefer to repair the native valve. If repair isn't feasible, the valve is replaced.
- Mechanical Valves: Made of durable carbon and metal. They last a lifetime but require daily blood-thinning medication to prevent clots.
- Biological Valves: Made from animal tissue (cow or pig) or donated human tissue. They don't require blood thinners but wear out in 10-20 years, potentially needing a second replacement.
The choice between minimally invasive heart valve surgery and traditional surgery is a complex one best made with your cardiologist and cardiac surgeon.
Living Well with Valvular Heart Disease
A diagnosis can be daunting, but most people with VHD lead full, active lives with proper management.
Essential Lifestyle Changes
- Heart-Healthy Diet: Low in salt, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
- Regular, Approved Exercise: Stay active within limits set by your doctor.
Maintain a Healthy Weight.
Don't Smoke.
- Dental Hygiene: Good oral health helps prevent endocarditis.
- Regular Follow-ups: Never skip appointments with your cardiologist.
The Importance of Ongoing Care
Long-term management requires a partnership with your healthcare team. Apollo24|7 offers a convenient home collection for tests like INR (for those on blood thinners) or BNP (a heart failure marker), making it easier to stay on top of your health.
Conclusion
Valvular heart disease is a serious but highly manageable condition. The journey from hearing an unexpected heart murmur to receiving a diagnosis and exploring treatment options can feel overwhelming. However, with modern medicine's advanced diagnostic tools and a rapidly expanding array of treatments, from minimally invasive procedures to sophisticated surgeries, the outlook is brighter than ever. The key is proactive engagement with your health. Listen to your body, report any new symptoms promptly, and maintain a strong, open dialogue with your cardiologist. By understanding your condition and the resources available to you, you can take control of your heart health and continue to live a vibrant, active life. If you have any concerns about your heart health, booking a consultation with a specialist through Apollo24|7 is a proactive first step.
Consult a Cardiologist for the best advice
Consult a Cardiologist for the best advice
Dr. Ramalinga Reddy
General Physician
5 Years • MBBS MD General medicine
Bengaluru
PRESTIGE SHANTHINIKETAN - SOCIETY CLINIC, Bengaluru
Dr. Murughesh M E
Cardiologist
3 Years • M.B.B.S. , M.D. General Medicine, D.M. Cardiology
Bengaluru
Apollo Clinic, HSR Layout, Bengaluru
Dr. Bhethala Sharan Prakash
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
5 Years • MBBS MD
Bengaluru
PRESTIGE SHANTHINIKETAN - SOCIETY CLINIC, Bengaluru
Dr. Sumanta Chatterjee
Cardiologist
12 Years • MBBS,MD General Medicine,DM Cardiology
Kolkata
HealthYou Speciality Clinic & Diagnostics., Kolkata
(25+ Patients)
Dr. Dayanashre N
General Physician
3 Years • MBBS
Bengaluru
PRESTIGE SHANTHINIKETAN - SOCIETY CLINIC, Bengaluru
Consult a Cardiologist for the best advice
Dr. Ramalinga Reddy
General Physician
5 Years • MBBS MD General medicine
Bengaluru
PRESTIGE SHANTHINIKETAN - SOCIETY CLINIC, Bengaluru
Dr. Murughesh M E
Cardiologist
3 Years • M.B.B.S. , M.D. General Medicine, D.M. Cardiology
Bengaluru
Apollo Clinic, HSR Layout, Bengaluru
Dr. Bhethala Sharan Prakash
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
5 Years • MBBS MD
Bengaluru
PRESTIGE SHANTHINIKETAN - SOCIETY CLINIC, Bengaluru
Dr. Sumanta Chatterjee
Cardiologist
12 Years • MBBS,MD General Medicine,DM Cardiology
Kolkata
HealthYou Speciality Clinic & Diagnostics., Kolkata
(25+ Patients)
Dr. Dayanashre N
General Physician
3 Years • MBBS
Bengaluru
PRESTIGE SHANTHINIKETAN - SOCIETY CLINIC, Bengaluru
Frequently Asked Questions
Is heart valve disease hereditary?
While most valve disease is acquired through ageing or other conditions, some underlying causes can be hereditary. The most common example is a bicuspid aortic valve, which can run in families. If you have a strong family history of valve problems, discussing it with your doctor is wise.
Can you exercise if you have a leaky heart valve?
In most cases, yes. Regular, moderate exercise is encouraged to maintain cardiovascular health. However, the type and intensity of exercise must be approved by your cardiologist, as strenuous activity might be risky with certain severe valve conditions.
What is the life expectancy after heart valve replacement?
Life expectancy after a successful valve replacement is excellent and often near normal, especially when the procedure is performed before permanent heart damage occurs. It depends heavily on your age, overall health, and how well you adhere to post-operative care and medications.
What are the signs that my valve disease is getting worse?
Watch for increasing shortness of breath (especially at night), more frequent heart palpitations, dizziness, chest pain, or sudden weight gain and swelling in your ankles. Any new or worsening symptom should be reported to your doctor immediately.
What's the difference between a mechanical and biological replacement valve?
Mechanical valves are extremely durable and designed to last a lifetime but require daily blood-thinning medication (warfarin). Biological valves, made from animal tissue, typically do not require long-term blood thinners but have a limited lifespan of 10-20 years and may need to be replaced later in life.