What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Valve Disease?

The heart is such a vital organ to the rest of the body that when a condition affects the heart it can start showing symptoms normally associated with a wide range of other non-heart related issues. If you feel that you are experiencing symptoms that are part of the heart valve disease then it is critical to get examined by a physician immediately.

Breathing

• It is important to pay attention to any changes in the way your body works, especially when it comes to your heart and valve disease. One of the symptoms of valve disease could be easily dismissed as a less serious condition. If you have difficulty catching your breath after even mild physical activity, then you may be experiencing a symptom of valve disease. This can also be evident when you try to lie down. If you find it difficult to catch your breath when you are lying down, or you need to sleep in a partially seated position just to be able to breathe properly, then you may be experiencing symptoms of valve disease.

Light-Headed

• As you go through your regular daily activities you may begin to feel light-headed and find yourself having dizzy spells. These may be signs and symptoms of heart valve disease. They may also be accompanied by fainting or passing out for no apparent reason. These are serious symptoms and you should get to a doctor immediately if you begin to experience them.

Rapid Heart Beat

• The easiest way to describe the feeling of heart palpitations or a rapid heart beat is that your heart feels like it is beating so fast that it will beat through your chest. You may need to occasionally catch your breath because of your rapid heart beat, and it may even feel like your heart is sometimes skipping a beat. These heart palpitations could be the indication of a wide range of heart conditions, and one of those conditions is heart valve disease.

Edema

• Another common symptom of heart valve disease is a condition known as edema. Edema is when your ankles or your feet begin to swell for no apparent reason. You may also begin to feel as though your stomach or abdomen is swelling as well and this can lead to an uncomfortable bloated feeling.

Weight Gain

• It is not unusual for people experiencing the symptoms of heart valve disease to have periods of rapid and significant weight gain. People with heart valve disease may gain as much as three pounds in a 24 hour period even though they have not altered their eating habits. Consistently noticing this kind of weight gain should be reported to a physician immediately.