What it is
Mild valve disease often causes no symptoms and is monitored with regular scans.
Medicines can ease symptoms, and severe valve disease is treated by repairing or replacing the valve, through surgery or a catheter.
Common signs
- Often no symptoms at first
- Breathlessness
- Chest pain
- Tiredness
- Dizziness or fainting
- Swollen ankles
How it is usually diagnosed
- Listening to the heart for a murmur
- Echocardiogram
- ECG
- Cardiac MRI or CT, sometimes
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Echocardiogram reports over time
- Cardiology letters
- Valve surgery or procedure notes
- Anticoagulation records, if on blood thinners
Questions to ask your doctor
- Which valve is affected and how severely?
- How often do I need a scan?
- When would the valve need treatment?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Chest pain, fainting or sudden severe breathlessness: call 112
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.