Leaking Heart Valve Symptoms & Valvular Regurgitation:
Patients with leaky heart valve symptoms should know that there are a number of different heart valve diseases and/or valvular disorders that could trigger leaky heart valve symptoms.
The main cause of leaking heart valve symptoms results from a diseased heart valve that experiences valvular regurgitation. Regurgitation can negatively impact the flow of blood across each of your four heart valves - aortic valve, pulmonary valve, mitral valve and tricuspid valve.
Ultimately, leaky heart valves force the heart to "work harder" as it re-pumps blood through a valve. Over time, this can lead to several leaking heart valve symptoms and an enlarged heart, also known as a dilated heart or cardiomegaly. The long-term effects of cardiomegaly are fluid in the lungs, abnormal heart rhythms, edema, blood clots and cardiac failure.
Some of the most common symptoms of leaky heart valves 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
However, leaking heart valve symptoms do not always appear, or manifest, simultaneously for a patient. Many patients can be asymptomatic even though they suffer from mild, moderate, or even severe, heart valve disease.
 My Personal Story With Leaky Heart Valve Symptoms? I had severe aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation when I learned that I needed double heart valve replacement surgery. So you know, I had only one symptom of leaky heart valves. Yes, you read that right! Of the ten symptoms referenced above, I only experienced one symptom which led me to seek medical help and, ultimately, heart valve surgery.
That said, I highly encourage you to visit your doctor or cardiologist if (i) you are experiencing any of the leaking heart valve symptoms identified above or (ii) you have been previously diagnosed with valvular regurgitation. Some heart valve diseases can be easily identified by listening to your heart valve sounds with a stethoscope. This is usually the first step in diagnosing a heart valve disease or leak in the valve.
>> NEXT: To learn more about leaking heart valve symptoms and leaky heart valve treatment, please click here. 
|
