How to manage leaky heart valve

Leaky heart valve is a condition where a valve in the heart fails to close tightly enough, causing blood to leak back into the heart. The most common type of heart valve disease is mitral valve regurgitation, where the mitral valve is the source of the leak.

"The heart has four valves," says Khalid Ridwan, MD, a cardiac surgeon at Lankenau Heart Institute, part of Main Line Health. "Each valve works as a one-way valve that opens to let blood flow in one direction then closes to prevent flow backwards. This allows blood to move from the right heart to the lungs, then to the left side of the heart and finally to the body. When a valve doesn't close properly, the blood leaks backwards and puts strain on the heart. This can lead to shortness of breath and other congestive heart failure symptoms."

What causes leaky heart valves

There are a few potential culprits, including age-related wear and tear on the valve, genetic conditions and certain infections or autoimmune disorders. Some people may also develop mitral valve regurgitation as a result of heart damage from a heart attack or another heart disease, including high blood pressure or a structural defect in the heart.

Symptoms of a leaky heart valve can include:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Swelling in the legs
• Abnormal heart rhythm

If you're experiencing symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath or chest pain, it's important to see your doctor right away.

"While leaky heart valves can be serious, early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent complications," says Dr. Ridwan.

Diagnosing leaky heart valve

A leaky heart valve is usually diagnosed by your doctor through obtaining a detailed medical history and through a clinical evaluation. During this evaluation, your doctor listens to your heart.

Some of the signs a doctor will look for are:

• Presence of a heart murmur
• Irregular heartbeat (such as atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib)
• Shortness of breath during walks or going up a flight of stairs
• Swelling of the ankles

"If your doctor detects a heart murmur, they should order an echocardiogram to evaluate your heart muscle and heart valves," says Dr. Ridwan.

Treating leaky heart valve

Treatment for a leaky heart valve depends on how serious it is and what's causing it. If the leak is mild and not causing symptoms, your doctor may simply monitor it over time. More serious leaks may need medication or a procedure to fix or replace the valve.

"The good news is there are many less invasive ways to treat a leaky heart valve," says Dr. Ridwan. "At Lankenau Heart Institute, we offer advanced treatments that can repair or replace heart valves without the need for open-heart surgery."

Less invasive (non-surgical) treatment options

Many patients can be treated using minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures. These treatments are done through small incisions and often mean shorter hospital stays and faster recovery. Depending on which valve is affected, options may include repairing or replacing the aortic, mitral or tricuspid valve using newer, transcatheter technologies.

For some patients, minimally invasive surgery or robotic assisted surgery may be recommended. These procedures use smaller incisions than traditional open-heart surgery and can repair or replace damaged valves using either mechanical or tissue (bioprosthetic) valves.

Your heart team will help determine the best option for you based on your valve, symptoms and overall health.

Lifestyle changes that support heart health

Along with medical care, these healthy habits can help protect your heart and manage symptoms:

• Eat a heart-healthy diet
• Stay physically active
• Avoid smoking and vaping
• Limit alcohol use

Overcoming a leaky heart valve

Leaky heart valves are a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention. But by working with your healthcare team and making lifestyle changes to support heart health, you can manage symptoms and enjoy a good quality of life even with this condition.

Next steps

Make an appointment with Khalid Ridwan, MD

Learn more about your options for heart valve disease treatment

Learn more about clinical trials for heart valve disease

Want to hear testimonials from patients who have had success with treatment for their leaky heart valves? Meet Carol, Greg and Leah.

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