Chest pain
A feeling of pressure on your chest even when you are inactive.
What is heart valve disease?
Heart valves
Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of the four valves in your heart doesn’t work properly.
This can cause the blood flow between your heart and your body to be disrupted and can lead to many health problems.1
There are many types of heart valve disease including the most common one among elderly patients – aortic stenosis.1
More than 1 in 8 people older than 75 years have aortic stenosis.3
How do I know if I might have heart valve disease?
The answer lies in your symptoms.
Your doctor can examine your heart and determine if you have heart valve disease.
Shortness of breath
Needing to catch your breath when walking short distances.
Feeling faint
Fainting while doing routine tasks.
Weak or dizzy
Struggling with routine tasks due to persistent light-headedness.
Fatigue
Feeling tired even when inactive.
Talk to your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.2
Not sure where to visit?
What should I do if I think I have a heart valve disease?
Most people experiencing symptoms of heart valve disease dismiss them as signs of aging.3,4
However, they may become serious if left untreated.5 The good news is that most of these diseases can be treated.6 The sooner heart valve disease is diagnosed and treated, the better are your chances of a full recovery.7
Do not delay getting your heart checked. Visit your doctor today.
Stay informed
Join our mailing list to stay informed about heart valve disease, aortic stenosis, and its treatment options including transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)
References
- Bouma BJ, van den Brink RBA, van der Meulen JHP et al. To operate or not on elderly patients with aortic stenosis: the decision and its consequences. Heart 1999 Aug; 82: 143–8.
- Strange et al. BMC Health Services Research (2021) 21:790. Otto CM. VALVE DISEASE: timing of aortic valve surgery. Heart. 2000;84(2):211-218. Local data from the National Echo Database of Australia (NEDA) shows that 97,379 Australians have severe Aortic Stenosis
- Mayo Clinic. Heart Valve Disease. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-valve-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353727. Accessed 17 October 2023.
- Osnabrugge RLJ, et al. J Am Coll Cardiol 2013;62:1002–12.
- American Heart Association. Aortic Stenosis Overview. Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-valve-problems-and-disease/heart-valve-problems-and-causes. Accessed 17 October 2023.
- The Heart Foundation. Australia. What is heart valve disease. Available at: https://heartfoundation.org.au/bundles/your-heart/heart-valve-disease. Accessed 17 October 2023.
- Bartoli-Leonard F and Aikawa E. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2020; 7: 602271.
Important safety information
Important safety information
Information on this site includes educational information regarding certain conditions and potential therapies or treatment options.
Other therapies or treatment options may be available and you should discuss any educational information you access online with your healthcare professional. Appropriate treatment for individuals is a matter for healthcare professionals to decide in consultation with each individual.