What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Heart Valve Replacement?

The heart is split into four chambers. The upper two chambers are the atria and the lower two are the ventricles. Blood flow in the heart travels in one direction: into the atria, down to the ventricles, then out. The blood flows through the chambers via little doorways called valves. During normal functioning, the valves open as the heart contracts and close when the heart relaxes---ensuring blood flows in the right direction. When the valves malfunction, they fail to open or close properly, altering the flow of blood through the heart.

Symptoms of a Heart Valve Malfunction

• Patients may experience heart palpitations and chest pain. Because a faulty valve affects blood flow, patients may also feel lethargic and experience fainting, light-headedness and lower endurance. Blood pressure may be higher or lower than normal and severe swelling and even abdominal pain could result from an increase of fluid in the tissues. Patients can also expect shortness of breath and increased wet coughing.

Diagnostic Signs of a Heart Valve Malfunction

• The heart may make an extra sound, or murmur, which may be the valve opening or closing out of sync with the heartbeat. The faulty valve can appear on an MRI, an ultrasound and/or an echocardiogram. With a cardiac catheterization, the technician injects a dye into the heart and the faulty valve can show up on an X-ray. An electrocardiogram may show heartbeat irregularities.

Factors that Determine Heart Valve Replacement

• If the valve malfunction is too severe, or does not respond to other treatments, the doctor may decide to replace the valve. The age and health status of the patient can play a large role in this decision, as some patients may be at greater risk for complications. If the patient needs heart surgery for another condition, such as a bypass for coronary artery disease, the doctor may decide to do a valve replacement at the same time.