Key Pointers:
- Valve issues involve stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leakage) of heart valves.
- Early signs: breathlessness, fatigue, palpitations, ankle swelling, chest pressure, or fainting.
- A murmur often prompts echocardiography to assess severity and impact.
Early detection prevents heart failure, arrhythmias, and reduced quality of life. - Regular follow-up guides medications, repair, or replacement at the right time.
Heart valve disorders often develop quietly, without obvious symptoms, until they begin to interfere with daily life. In Singapore, where regular health screenings are common, it’s still easy to overlook subtle signs that may point to valvular heart disease. But early recognition can make all the difference in treatment outcomes and long-term heart health.
Here’s what to look out for, and why timely diagnosis matters.
What Are Valve Disorders?
The heart has four valves, mitral, aortic, tricuspid, and pulmonary, which control blood flow in and out of the heart chambers. Valve disorders typically fall into two categories:
- Stenosis: When a valve doesn’t open fully, restricting blood flow
- Regurgitation: When a valve doesn’t close properly, allowing blood to leak backwards
These conditions can strain the heart, reduce oxygen circulation, and eventually lead to heart failure if left untreated.
Early Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
While valve disorders can remain silent for years, some of the earliest symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath, especially during activity or when lying flat
- Unusual fatigue or weakness that seems out of proportion to exertion
- Heart palpitations or feeling like your heart is fluttering or skipping beats
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen
- Chest discomfort or pressure, often during physical effort
- Dizziness or fainting spells, especially with exertion
These symptoms may be subtle at first and are often misattributed to ageing or lifestyle stress. However, they can be early indicators of valve dysfunction and should not be overlooked.
Why Early Detection Matters
Early diagnosis allows for:
- Better management before symptoms worsen
- Monitoring to prevent complications like heart failure or arrhythmias
- Timely intervention with medication, lifestyle adjustments, or valve repair/replacement
Modern imaging techniques, such as echocardiograms, make detecting valvular disease straightforward and non-invasive.
What Happens During a Valve Evaluation?
A heart murmur detected during a routine exam may prompt your doctor to conduct further tests, such as:
- Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Chest X-ray or cardiac MRI
- Stress test to assess how your heart performs under exertion
These tests help assess valve function, blood flow, and any structural changes in the heart.
Don’t Wait for Serious Symptoms
Valve disease often progresses gradually. By the time symptoms become severe, heart damage may already be present. If you have risk factors, such as age over 60, high blood pressure, or a history of rheumatic fever, it’s wise to stay alert and undergo regular heart check-ups.
Unexplained fatigue, breathlessness, or irregular heartbeats should be evaluated. Schedule a heart screening with The Heart Doctors Clinic Today. Early recognition of valve disorders can be life-saving, and it starts with listening to what your heart is telling you.
