Valvular Heart Disease: Types, Symptoms, and Best Treatment Options
Feb 10, 2025
What Is Valvular Heart Disease?
Valvular heart disease (VHD) is a condition where one or more heart valves don’t function properly, affecting blood flow. It can lead to symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue—or sometimes no symptoms at all until the condition worsens.
Millions of people worldwide have heart valve disease, but many don’t realize it until it’s too late. Early detection and advanced treatments can help prevent complications like heart failure.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Types of heart valve diseases (including rare ones)
- Symptoms and risk factors
- Modern and minimally invasive treatment options
- Why early detection is crucial
- How to get expert care at Paras Hospitals
Types of Valvular Heart Disease
- Aortic Stenosis: The Most Common Valve Disease
- Affects 9 million people worldwide
- The aortic valve becomes narrowed, restricting blood flow
- Common in older adults and those with high cholesterol or calcium buildup
- Symptoms: Chest pain, breathlessness, dizziness
- Treatment: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) or surgical valve replacement (Source)
- Mitral Regurgitation: A Leaky Mitral Valve
- The mitral valve doesn’t close properly, causing blood to flow backward
- Leads to fatigue, irregular heartbeat, and swollen feet
- Treatment options: MitraClip procedure (minimally invasive) or valve replacement
- Tricuspid Valve Disease: Often Overlooked
- Tricuspid regurgitation allows blood to backflow into the right atrium
- Tricuspid stenosis is a narrowing of the tricuspid valve (often caused by rheumatic fever)
- Symptoms: Swelling in legs, fluid retention, fatigue
- Treatment: Valve repair or replacement
- Pulmonary Valve Disease: Rare but Serious
- Pulmonary valve stenosis restricts blood flow to the lungs
- Pulmonary regurgitation causes blood to leak back into the right ventricle
- Symptoms: Shortness of breath, blue-tinted skin, fainting spells
Rare Heart Valve Disorders You Should Know About
- Quadricuspid Aortic Valve (QAV) – A rare birth defect where the aortic valve has four leaflets instead of three, leading to leakage. (Source)
- Tricuspid Valve Stenosis – A rare narrowing of the tricuspid valve, leading to right-sided heart failure. (Source)
- Bicuspid Aortic Valve (BAV) – A genetic condition where the aortic valve has two flaps instead of three, increasing the risk of aortic stenosis and aneurysms.
- Endocarditis-Induced Valve Disease – Bacterial infections can damage heart valves, leading to life-threatening complications.
Symptoms of Heart Valve Disease: When to See a Doctor
Many people with early-stage heart valve disease don’t experience noticeable symptoms. However, as the condition progresses, you may notice:
- Shortness of breath (especially during exercise)
- Chest pain or pressure
- Irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- Swollen feet, ankles, or legs
- Dizziness or fainting spells
- Extreme fatigue or weakness
⚠️ Ignoring these signs can lead to serious complications like heart failure.
👉 If you or a loved one experience any of these symptoms, book a consultation at Paras Hospitals for a heart check-up.
Latest Treatments for Valvular Heart Disease
Thanks to medical advancements, heart valve disease treatment is now safer and less invasive than ever.
- Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
- A minimally invasive procedure to replace the aortic valve
- No open-heart surgery needed!
- Best for elderly patients and those at high surgical risk
- MitraClip Procedure
- A catheter-based procedure that clips the mitral valve to stop leakage
- Quick recovery time compared to open-heart surgery
- Balloon Valvuloplasty
- Used for narrowed heart valves (stenosis)
- A balloon is inserted and inflated to widen the valve
- Traditional Open-Heart Surgery
- Best for younger, healthier patients who need long-term valve solutions
Preventing Heart Valve Disease: Lifestyle Tips
You can’t always prevent valve disease, but you can lower your risk with these habits:
- Manage blood pressure and cholesterol: High BP can weaken heart valves
- Quit smoking: Smoking accelerates heart damage
- Eat heart-healthy foods: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
- Stay active: Regular exercise keeps your heart strong
- Treat infections promptly: Strep throat and other infections can lead to rheumatic heart disease
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
Did you know that over 13% of people aged 75 and older have heart valve disease—but many don’t realize it? (Source)
- Early detection = better treatment options
- Regular heart check-ups can prevent complications
- Echocardiograms help detect hidden valve issues
Paras Hospitals offers state-of-the-art cardiac screenings and expert care. If you're over 50 or have risk factors like high BP, book your check-up today!
Take Action: Get Expert Heart Care at Paras Hospitals
Don't wait for your symptoms to get worse! If you have any signs of heart valve disease, it's important to get checked now.
- Expert cardiologists & heart surgeons
- Advanced heart valve treatments (TAVR, MitraClip, valve replacement)
- 8 hospital locations: Panchkula, Srinagar, Gurgaon, Patna, Ranchi, Darbhanga, Kanpur, Udaipur
Call us at 8080808069 or book your appointment online. Your heart health matters!
Book Your Consultation Today!
Why Early Check-ups Matter
Heart valve disease is more common than you think. But the good news is, modern treatments can help manage or even fix the problem.
If you feel chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or extreme tiredness, don’t ignore it. Visit Paras Hospitals for a heart check-up and expert treatment.
📞 Call now: 8080808069 to book your consultation.