Topic: Symptoms of Heart Valve Problems

Hey everybody,

I just received an email about asking me about the symptoms and problems associated with the congenital defects and diseased heart valves. Specifically, the question was, “What are the symptoms of heart valve problems?”

This is a great question. Unfortunately, there is no specific symptom which indicates a potential heart valve issue. The fact is that there are multiple problems or symptoms that occur for the patient depending upon the nature of the heart valve defect - bicuspid aortic valve, mitral valve prolapse, regurgitation, etc.

Some of the more common symptom of heart valve problem are:

• Shortness of breath, especially with exertion or when you lie down
• Fatigue, especially during times of increased activity
• Cough, especially at night or when lying down
• Heart palpitations — sensations of a rapid, fluttering heartbeat
• Swollen feet or ankles
• Heart murmur
• Excessive urination
• Chest pain (angina) or tightness
• Feeling faint or fainting with exertion
• Dizziness

To add some confusion into this discussion about symptoms of heart valve problems is the possibility that a patient may be asymptomatic. Meaning that none of the above symptoms are apparent to the patient.

So you know… I was almost entirely symptomatic. Even though I knew I had a congenital bicuspid aort valve, I had never experienced any symptoms for the first 33 years of life.

Then, one night, I was eating Mexican food with Robyn (my wife). As we made it through the first bowl of chips and salsa the left side of my body tingled and went numb. I thought it was nothing but Robyn was not convinced. “YOU’RE GOING TO THE CARDIOLOGIST!” she pleaded with me. The next day I saw my cardiologist, then I had echo, and then came…. the diagnosis.

“The rest,” as they say, “is history!”

FYI, my history included [1] a double heart valve replacement of the aortic and pulmonary valves known as the Ross Procedure.

I hope this helps you understand symptoms of heart valve problems.

Keep on tickin,

Adam

P.S. Feel free to email me at additional questions at adam@heart-valve-surgery.com.

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