Heart valve disease affects the valves that make sure blood flows correctly through the heart and to the rest of the body. What causes heart valve disease? The heart has four valves that open and close with each heartbeat, helping to regulate how blood moves through the heart. A valve problem can be caused by birth defects, age-related changes, infections, or other conditions. Three kinds of problems can affect heart valves: Regurgitation – Backflow of blood that occurs if a valve doesn’t close tightly enough. Instead of flowing forward through the heart or into an artery, blood leaks backward into the heart chamber. This is usually caused by prolapse, which occurs when the flaps of the valve bulge back into the heart chamber. This is sometimes referred to as “leaky valve.” Stenosis – Thickening or stiffening of a valve that prevents it from fully opening to let blood flow through. Atresia – A birth defect that occurs when a valve forms without an opening for blood to flow through. What are the signs and symptoms of heart valve disease? The main sign of heart valve disease is a heart murmur—an unusual sound during a heartbeat that can be detected when your cardiologist listens to your heart with a stethoscope. Some people with heart valve disease don’t experience any symptoms until later in life after the disease has progressed. Symptoms may include: Fatigue Shortness of breath Swelling in your ankles, feet, legs or abdomen How is heart valve disease diagnosed? Your doctor may hear a heart murmur when listening to your heartbeat with a stethoscope. To diagnose heart valve disease, your doctor will give you a physical exam and one or more of the following tests: Cardiac catheterization Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Chest X-ray Echocardiography Electrocardiogram (EKG) Stress test How is heart valve disease treated? Treatment varies depending on the specific type of valve disease you have and which specific valve is affected. Lifestyle changes and medicine can help manage the symptoms of a heart valve problem. Improving your diet, lowering your blood pressure, quitting smoking, and limiting strenuous exercise could help. Your doctor might prescribe medication to treat heart failure, lower your blood pressure, prevent irregular heartbeats, or thin your blood to prevent clots. In some cases, a valve may need to be repaired or replaced with surgery. These surgeries can include:   Balloon valvuloplasty Valve replacement Transcatheter aortic valve repair The Ross operation