Valvular Heart Disease
Valvular Heart Disease occurs when there is damage or defect to any of the four heart valves (mitral, aortic, tricuspid, or pulmonary valve).
Symptoms
Symptoms can be similar to congestive heart failure, such as shortness of breath and wheezing after limited physical exertion and swelling of the feet, ankles, hands or abdomen. Other symptoms include:
- Palpitations, chest pain (may be mild).
- Fatigue.
- Dizziness or fainting (with aortic stenosis).
- Fever (with bacterial endocarditis).
- Rapid weight gain.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will listen for certain heart sounds called murmers. Additionally, other tests may need to be performed:
- EKG
- Stress Test
- Chest X-Ray
- Echocardiogram
- Cardiac Cath
Treatment
Your physician will discuss the treatment measures with you based off the severity of the disease.