The heart muscle consists of four chambers. There are two upper chambers or atria and two bottom chambers called ventricles. There are also four heart valves, and their job is to keep blood flowing in the right direction. As the heart pumps blood, the valves open so blood can flow out of the chamber. Then they close so blood cannot flow backward. When the valves are not working properly, there may be signs of heart valve trouble that require medical attention.
Abnormal Heart Sounds
In the early stages of heart valve problems, the only symptom may be a heart murmur. A murmur is a sound made by the heart that varies from the normal "lub dub" sound, created as the valves open and close. A murmur may be heard as an extra beat or a swishing sound. A heart murmur can be detected through using a stethoscope and may be picked up by a physician during a routine physical. Heart murmurs do not always signal valve disease and in some cases murmurs can exist years before the valves develop problems, states the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Trouble Breathing
Heart valve disease can come on quickly and cause recognizable symptoms. In other cases it develops slowly and may initially only cause mild symptoms that get progressively worse as the valve disease progresses. Shortness of breath is one such symptom, claims the Cleveland Clinic. In the early stages, shortness of breath may be dismissed due to advanced age or from just being out of shape. Trouble breathing can also contribute to feeling dizzy, tired or lightheaded. Breathlessness can then continue to get worse over time, until eventually it occurs at rest or while lying down. For this reason, any changes in breathing capacity should be evaluated to rule out serious underlying conditions.
Arrhythmias
When the heart valves are not working properly, blood may back up into the heart which can interfere with its ability to maintain a normal rhythm. This can lead to abnormal heart rhythms or arrhythmias. This includes a racing pulse, stronger or weaker than normal pulse, sensations of skipped beats or palpitations, which feel like a pounding sensation in the neck or chest, warns the Columbia University Medical Center. Abnormal heart rhythms should be evaluated by a physician, as in some cases they can become fatal if not treated.
Edema and Chest Pain
According to the Texas Heart Institute, if heart valve disease continues untreated it may lead to heart failure or physical damage to the heart muscle. In some cases there are no warning signs until these conditions become severe. At this point, the body may start to retain fluid and cause edema or swelling in the legs, feet and face. Some patients may also experience chest pain or angina. The best bet is to prevent illness when possible, by having regular checkups and staying on top of blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
