Your heart works hard every day, beating more than 100,000 times to pump blood throughout your body. Inside your heart are four valves that act like doors, opening and closing with each heartbeat to keep blood flowing in the right direction. When one or more of these valves doesn’t work as it should, it can affect how efficiently the heart pumps blood. This condition is known as heart valve disease. Heart valve disease can develop when a valve becomes stiff and doesn’t open fully, or when it doesn’t close tightly and allows blood to leak backward. Over time, this can make the heart work harder than it should and may lead to symptoms that affect daily life. How heart valve disease develops Some people are born with heart valve conditions, while others develop them over time due to changes in the heart or underlying health conditions. Common causes include: • Normal aging and wear over time. • High blood pressure. • Heart failure or a previous heart attack. • Autoimmune conditions. • Prior radiation therapy to the chest. Heart valve disease is more common than many people realize, especially in older adults, and it often goes undiagnosed until symptoms appear. What you need to know about heart valve disease Talk to our experts Faith Health Cardiology offers expert evaluation and ongoing care for heart valve disease. Schedule an appointment with a Faith Health cardiologist at a convenient location near you. • Albion, Boone County Health Center: 402-395-3156 • Atkinson, West Holt Medical Clinic: 402-925-2811 • Columbus, Faith Health Cardiology: 402-564-9610 • Creighton, Creighton Area Health Services: 402-358-5700 • Genoa, Genoa Community Hospital: 402-993-2283 • Lynch, Niobrara Valley Hospital: 402-569-2451 • Neligh, Antelope Memorial Hospital: 402-887-6264 • Norfolk, Faith Health Cardiology, 402-844-8284 • O’Neill, Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital: 402-336-5122 • Wayne, Providence Medical Center: 402-375-7953 Visit www.faith.health to learn more. Recognizing the symptoms Not everyone with heart valve disease notices symptoms right away. When symptoms do occur, they may include: • Chest discomfort. • Fatigue or weakness. • Shortness of breath, especially with activity. • Light-headedness or fainting. • Rapid or irregular heartbeat. • Swelling in the feet, ankles or abdomen. Because these symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for normal aging, it’s important to talk with your cardiologist if something doesn’t feel right. Diagnosis and care Heart valve disease is often discovered during a routine exam or through imaging tests performed by your cardiologist. With early detection and ongoing care, many people can manage symptoms and maintain a good quality of life. Krishna Velagapudi, MD, Faith Health Cardiology 6 Faith Health
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