5 Signs Your Heart Valve May Be Failing

Aging individuals often attribute new health symptoms to age, but they could indicate serious conditions like a leaky heart valve. Dr. Ravinder Singh Rao, Chief Interventional Cardiologist, identifies five critical signs that are frequently mistaken for age-related changes.

Fatigue, where physical activity becomes significantly harder, is a primary indicator. This occurs because a leaking valve impairs efficient blood flow, leading to muscle fatigue. Palpitations, often dismissed as anxiety, can also signal a heart valve issue due to the heart working harder to compensate for the leak.

Difficulty sleeping at night, specifically paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, where individuals wake gasping for breath, points to fluid buildup in the lungs caused by backward blood flow. Swelling in the feet or legs, increasing throughout the day, is another sign of poor blood circulation and fluid accumulation.

Breathlessness during activities previously managed easily is a very common symptom of heart failure. A sudden or progressive increase in breathlessness, including during the night, strongly suggests a heart problem. Early diagnosis through evaluations like a 2D echocardiogram can lead to effective medical management or even valve repair procedures.