3 Signs Your Heart Valve May Need Attention

When it comes to heart health, several issues can develop. Some are better known than others, which can make it difficult to ensure you’re doing everything you can to prevent heart disease or address issues as they arise. 

Our team at Heart Care is dedicated to providing clear, helpful advice that helps you take an active role in your heart health. Today, we’re here to discuss signs of heart valve problems and when to take action.  

What are heart valves, and why are they so important?

Your heart is a large, muscular organ that pumps oxygenated blood throughout your body. Even before you’re fully formed in your mother’s womb, your heart is hard at work circulating blood throughout your system. 

Your heartbeats are essentially contractions that pump blood into your arteries. This pumping is a one-way street, and your heart valves are small flaps of tissue that prevent blood from flowing backward within your heart. 

You have four heart valves, each of which opens and closes during each of your heartbeats. When a problem develops in any one of these valves, your heart is at risk of harm. In some cases, a heart valve doesn’t fully close. Another common issue is stiffening of the heart valve tissue, which prevents adequate blood flow into your arteries. 

Understanding the signs of heart valve issues is the first step in taking action. Let’s look at three common symptoms of heart valve disease, and what you should do in response. 

Symptom #1: Fatigue

Fatigue is more than simply feeling tired; it’s a condition that permeates your daily life and interferes with your regular routines. We all go through periods of time when we’re exhausted. Starting a new job, caring for a loved one, or a period of intense stress can all leave you feeling absolutely drained. 

But when a significant period of time passes without relief, or if your fatigue is not clearly linked to a specific cause, it’s time to seek professional care. When it comes to heart valve issues, fatigue can result from inadequate blood flow to your organs and systems. 

Remember, blood carries the oxygen your cells need to thrive, and without that oxygen, you’ll feel exhausted more easily. 

Symptom #2: Shortness of breath

Here again, it’s a lack of oxygen that causes this common symptom of heart valve disease. When one or more heart valves aren’t functioning normally, your heart may be working harder than usual to make up the difference. 

Heart valve issues often leave your body without the blood flow needed to get through the day. If you find yourself short of breath when completing everyday tasks that did not previously leave you breathless, it’s time to come in for a diagnostic assessment. 

Symptom #3: Swelling in your ankles or feet

One of the more common signs of heart issues, including problems with your heart valves, is swelling in your lower body, especially in your ankles and feet. That’s because a faulty heart valve prevents your blood from flowing to all areas of your body. 

When your system recognizes insufficient blood flow, your kidneys might respond by producing less urine and begin retaining more fluids. Because your feet and ankles are located far from your heart, these are the areas where you usually notice edema (swelling) first. 

While edema can be a sign of numerous issues, it isn’t something you should ignore. A quick diagnostic assessment can determine whether a heart health issue, such as valve disease, is causing the swelling. 

Don’t ignore the signs of heart valve dysfunction

One of the best things you can do for your overall health is to listen to the messages your body is sending. Changes in the way you feel or function are the body’s way of letting you know something is amiss. 

When symptoms last for more than a few days or aren’t obviously linked to a clear cause, it’s time to see a medical professional. Perhaps you find out that there’s nothing wrong and there’s no need for intervention. But your specialist might detect a serious heart health issue that’s also treatable. 

When you have questions or concerns, the team at Heart Care is here to help residents of Frisco, Texas, and the surrounding area get answers. We’re available to schedule your next visit by phone, and also offer an easy online booking option to help you find a time that works for you.