How to Treat a Leaking Heart Valve

Normal heart valves open and close tightly to allow blood to pass through and circulate throughout the body. A leaking heart valve is a condition in which the valve does not close completely. When a valve is leaky, blood flows back into the area of your heart from where it just came. The medical term for a leaking valve is "regurgitation." Treatment for heart valve conditions can range from watchful waiting, to the use of medications, to, in some cases, valve replacement.

Instructions

• 1

  Discuss your heart condition with your doctor to determine how serious your valve damage is. According to the Merck Manual, some minor cases of regurgitation may be heard by your doctor as a heart murmur but do not produce symptoms consistent with extensive damage. Shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in the legs, or coughing may accompany a leaky heart valve. Minor cases of a leaking heart valve may be treated in the initial stages through observation only, according to the Mayo Clinic. Report an increase or change in symptoms to your doctor to determine if more treatment is needed.

• 2

  Control your blood pressure through lifestyle changes and medications, if required. The Mayo Clinic explains that high blood pressure can cause some valve leaks, such as mitral valve regurgitation, to worsen. Follow a low-sodium diet and exercise, if you are able, to manage your blood pressure. Maintaining a normal blood pressure may minimize the effects of your heart regurgitation.

• 3

  Prevent and manage fluid that may build up in your lungs or cause swelling in your legs through the use of diuretic medications. People who have valve regurgitation often experience edema (swelling), which can make the condition worse, according to the Mayo Clinic.

• 4

  Undergo surgery to correct or replace a heart valve that leaks. In some patients, the valve may be repaired, whereas others may need a new valve that functions correctly. Mechanical valves or those created from animals may be used for valve replacements.