Your heart works like a pump to send blood throughout your body. Inside the heart are valves that act like doors—opening and closing to ensure blood flows in the right direction. When a valve doesn’t open fully or doesn’t close properly, blood flow becomes abnormal and the heart has to work harder. This condition is called valvular heart disease.
Symptoms of Valvular Heart Disease
Valve disease may not cause symptoms at first, but as it worsens, you may experience:
- Shortness of breath or chest discomfort
- Fatigue or dizziness
- Palpitations
- Swelling in the legs or sudden weight gain
- In severe cases, fainting may occur
What Causes Valvular Heart Disease?
Valve disease can develop due to:
- Aging (valves become stiff or narrow over time)
- Congenital defects (valve problems present from birth)
- Previous infections or inflammation of the heart
- Conditions like high blood pressure, heart failure, or atrial fibrillation