Valve Disease

What Is Valve Disease?

Your heart has four valves that keep blood moving in the right direction. Any of these valves can become too thick (stenotic) or too leaky (regurgitant). When a vlave does not work properly, it can affect how your heart pumps. Over time, this may lead to heart failure.

Cause and What to Watch For

The heart has four valves that keep the blood moving in the correct direction. Any of these valves can develop problems, becoming too thick (stenotic) or too leaky (regurgitant). If the valve does not work correctly this can cause the heart pump to malfunction, which may lead to problems such as heart failure.

Heart Image

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The Valley Health Advance Valve Center offers a full range of state-of-the-art treatment options. Learn more

Symptoms to Watch For

You may experience:

Trouble breathing
Chest pain
Passing out or feeling lightheaded
Palpitations (fluttering in your chest)
Lack of energy
Fluid retention (swelling in your legs)
Trouble lying flat

If you notice any of these symtpoms, talk with your provider.

How We Diagnose Valve Disease

Your doctor will perform a physical exam and may hear a murmur. To confirm a diagnosis, you may need imaging tests such as:

Echocardiogram – shows how your heart and valves are working
CT scan or MRI – provides detailed images of your heart
Heart catheterization – checks how well your valves are working

These treats help us understand which valve is affected and how severe the problem is.

How We Treat Valve Disease

We use a team approach to evaluate your condition and recommend the best treatment for you.

Medications

Diuretics – help your body get rid of extra fluid
Beta blockers – help your heart relax and pump more efficiently

Minimally Invasive Procedures

Balloon valvuloplasty – opens a tight valve using a small balloon
Valve clips – reduce leaking by pinching the valve leaflets together
Stent valves – replace a damaged valve with a new one mounted inside a stent

Surgical Procedures

Some valves can be repaired or replaced during open-heart surgery. In some cases, this can be done through small incisions.

Advanced Therapies

We offer specialized procedures for complex valve conditions:

TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement)- A narrowed aortic valve is replaced with a new valve mounted on a stent. The stent pushes the old valve aside, and the new valve begins working right away. This procedure is typically done through a small puncture in the leg artery. Most patients stay overnight.

Mitral Clip- A leaky mitral valve is repaired using a clip that brings the floppy ends of the valve together. This is done through a tube inserted in a leg vein. Most patients stay overnight.