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Listen to my heart

HVD symptoms

You might not see heart valve disease coming

For many people, symptoms of heart valve disease are difficult to identify and may be confused with "normal" signs of aging, leading to under detection.1
It is of the utmost importance to share ANY symptoms with your doctor, no matter how subtle.
If you have a heart murmur or any of these symptoms, ask your doctor if you should get an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) to rule out heart valve disease.
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Lightheaded

Faint, or dizzy feelings

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Irregular heartbeat

Heart flutter, or chest pain

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Shortness of breath

After increased activity or while lying down

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Tiredness

Even if you’ve had plenty of sleep

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Edema

(Swelling of the ankles and feet)

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Not feeling like yourself

(Missing out on daily activities)

TAVI Patients' Stories

Risk factors - HVD

Several factors contribute to the risk of developing heart valve disease2:

heart valve disease

Older age

People 65+ are at significantly higher risk

Infections

Infections

Prior infection such as an infection of the heart (endocarditis)

Radiation to the chest

Radiation to the chest

May cause thickening and narrowing of heart valves

Family history

Family history

A family member with prior or existing heart conditions

Other conditions

Other conditions

Prior heart conditions, high blood pressure, diabetes, or autoimmune disorders

A murmur may be an SOS from your heart

A telling sign of heart valve disease

Heart murmurs are abnormal whooshing sounds that can be heard when your doctor listens to your heart with a stethoscope. If you are 65 or older and have a heart murmur, you should be further evaluated. It could mean you have heart valve disease and need to take action.
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Heart valve screening is important

Heart murmurs are distinct whooshing sounds and can be the first sign of heart valve disease.

Ask your doctor at every routine physical exam to listen to your heart using a stethoscope. And, if you are told that you do have a heart murmur, ask for an ultrasound of the heart, called an echocardiogram. They’re a crucial next step in diagnosing heart valve disease.

Make it routine to screen

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Get an echocardiogram

echocardiogram
If you are 65 or older, ask for an echocardiogram to screen for heart valve disease.

An echocardiogram, or echo, uses sound waves to take pictures of the heart. It’s a simple way to detect heart valve disease before it gets worse.

An echo is:

  • Pain-free
  • Helpful with detection
  • Over in as little as 20 minutes

References

  1. Otto CM et al. 2020 ACC/AHA Guideline for Valvular Heart Disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2021;77:e25–e197
  2. NHLBI. Heart Valve Diseases – Causes and Risk Factors. NIH