Your heart has four chambers: two upper chambers called the right and left atrium, and two bottom chambers called the right and left ventricles. Between these chambers are valves that help your blood flow in the right direction. Your tricuspid valve is located between the right atrium and right ventricle. Your mitral valve is between the left atrium and left ventricle. Your pulmonary valve is located at the bottom of the right ventricle and allows blood to flow into the pulmonary artery. Your aortic valve is at the bottom of the left ventricle and allows blood to flow into the aorta. You can be born with a heart valve defect. These valves can also be damaged as a result of an infection or structural changes that may occur with age. If there is a defect in a valve, it means it will not close properly and blood flow will be interrupted. This may or may not cause symptoms.
Heart Sounds
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the first sign that you may have a defective heart valve is the development of a murmur or other unusual heart sound. This sound is created because the blood is leaking when the valve attempts to shut. Because your physician will use a stethoscope to listen to your heart during a routine physical, he or she can detect any unusual sounds. Tests can be ordered to help confirm a diagnosis. In some cases, this may be the only symptom you have and you may never need treatment.
Additional Symptoms
If your heart valve defect is severe enough to cause symptoms, you may experience fatigue, shortness of breath upon exertion or when lying down and swelling or edema in your ankles or feet. In some cases your abdominal area may also become swollen and feel full. You may also develop an irregular heart rate, a racing pulse, lightheadedness, fainting spells and chest pain or pressure.
Severe Symptoms
If your heart valve defect becomes worse, you may develop heart failure. You are also at risk for endocarditis, which is an infection of the heart. Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, night sweats, trouble breathing and red spots on your palms and soles of your feet. You may retain water, which can lead to weight gain of two to three pounds in one day.
