"Pictures Of Heart Valve Disease?" Asks Ray
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: June 12, 2025
Ray just emailed me a great question about heart valve disease.
He writes, "Adam - Try this one on for size... I'm 57 and newly diagnosed with severe stenosis in my aortic valve. The docs think I need surgery soon. I can't believe it. I feel fine. No real symptoms. But, the echo shows my heart is already dilated somewhat. Even though the cardiologist told me what is wrong... I want to see what is wrong. Do you have any pictures of heart valve disease? Thanks, Ray"
Like Ray, I experienced a very similar thought upon diagnosis, "What does a diseased heart valve look like?" That said, please find several pictures below to help Ray (and perhaps you) better understand the visual anatomy of several different types of valve disease.
First, however, I thought you might like to see what a normal heart valve looks like for comparison. Here are two pictures of a normal aortic heart valve.
Below is a picture of a calcified bicuspid aortic valve. The valve cusps are rigid, distorted and deformed. And, the bicuspid aortic valve that is severely calcified. (So you know, this was my diagnosis prior to double heart valve surgery.)
In this picture of mitral valve prolapse, you can see how the two leaflets do not seal properly causing blood to leak backwards.
Finally, if you were wondering, "Does calcification of the leaflets impact the mitral valve?"
The answer to that is yes. Here is picture of a mitral valve with severe calcification on the leaflets and annulus.
I hope these pictures help you better visualize some of the various forms of heart valve disease. If you have any additional pictures to share, please let me know!
Related Links:
Keep on tickin!
Adam
Written by Adam Pick
Patient & Website Founder
Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder
Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.
Comments
Adam's Newest Blogs
New Community Posts
Blog Categories
- Adam's Updates
- Aneurysms
- Aortic Stenosis
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Aortic Valve Replacement
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Before Surgery
- Bicuspid Aortic Valve
- Heart Valve Replacement
- Medical Technology
- Mitral Regurgitation
- Mitral Valve Repair
- Patient Stories
- Pulmonary Valve
- Recovery
- Ross Procedure
- Surgeons & Hospitals
- Tricuspid Valve
Blog Categories
- Adam's Updates
- Aneurysms
- Aortic Stenosis
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Aortic Valve Replacement
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Before Surgery
- Bicuspid Aortic Valve
- Heart Valve Replacement
- Medical Technology
- Mitral Regurgitation
- Mitral Valve Repair
- Patient Stories
- Pulmonary Valve
- Recovery
- Ross Procedure
- Surgeons & Hospitals
- Tricuspid Valve
Blog Categories
- Adam's Updates
- Aneurysms
- Aortic Stenosis
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Aortic Valve Replacement
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Before Surgery
- Bicuspid Aortic Valve
- Heart Valve Replacement
- Medical Technology
- Mitral Regurgitation
- Mitral Valve Repair
- Patient Stories
- Pulmonary Valve
- Recovery
- Ross Procedure
- Surgeons & Hospitals
- Tricuspid Valve
Surgeon Spotlight
Dr. Badhwar is a world-renowned heart valve surgeon that has performed thousands of heart valve operations that include minimally-invasive techniques including robot-assisted techniques.
New Posts From Our Community
Ana Brusso from
Palm Dessert, California
Hoping that Paul and Glenda had successful surgeries and on the...
Meet AnaNewest Community Post
Find Heart Valve Surgeons
Search 1,500 patient-recommended surgeons
Surgeon Spotlight
Dr. Badhwar is a world-renowned heart valve surgeon that has performed thousands of heart valve operations that include minimally-invasive techniques including robot-assisted techniques.