Lisa Nelson RD #3:  Please explain briefly what a leaking valve is and if someone chooses not to correct a "leaky valve" via surgery what's the long term prognosis?

Dr. Shelby-Lane: A leaky valve is a condition in which the blood flow is altered by a valve that allows blood to flow backwards, otherwise known as "regurgitation". 

Regurgitation can negatively impact the flow of blood across each of your four heart valves - aortic valve, pulmonary valve, mitral valve and tricuspid valve.

Ultimately, leaky heart valves force the heart to "work harder" as it re-pumps blood through a valve. Over time, this can lead to several leaking heart valve symptoms and an enlarged heart.

Some of the most common symptoms of leaky heart valves are:

Shortness of breath, especially with exertion or when you lie down

Fatigue, especially during times of increased activity

Cough, especially at night or when lying down

Heart palpitations - sensations of a rapid, fluttering heartbeat

Swollen feet or ankles

Heart murmur

Excessive urination

Chest pain (angina) or tightness

Feeling faint or fainting with exertion

Dizziness

Leaking heart valve symptoms do not always appear, or manifest, simultaneously for a patient. Many patients can be asymptomatic even though they suffer from mild, moderate, or even severe, heart valve disease.

If you are experiencing symptoms, it's important to know that there are a number of different heart valve diseases and valve defects that could trigger leaky heart valve symptoms. 

That said, I highly encourage you to visit your doctor or cardiologist if you are experiencing any of the leaking heart valve symptoms identified above. Some heart valve diseases can be easily identified by listening to your heart valve sounds with a stethoscope. This is usually the first step in diagnosing a heart valve disease or leak in the valve.

Which treatment option is right for you?

Choosing the right treatment option is extremely important and depends on many factors. It's a decision that you should make in close cooperation with your doctor. Some of the factors you will need to consider when choosing a treatment option include:

The benefits and risks of each type of treatment 

Your age

Your specific medical condition

Other medications you may be taking

Your lifestyle needs and goals

Surgical Valve Repair

When possible, it is often preferable to surgically repair the patient's valve rather than to replace it with a prosthetic device. Valve repair usually involves the surgeon modifying the tissue or underlying structures of the mitral or tricuspid valve and implanting an annuloplasty ring or band.  Aortic valves are rarely repaired.

If the diseased native (original) heart valve cannot be repaired, the surgeon may choose to replace it. The first step is to remove the diseased valve and then implant a prosthetic valve in its place. Prosthetic valves used to replace the heart's natural valves come in different sizes to fit the patient and are made from a variety of materials.