Heart valve and structural disorders affect the valves, chambers, walls, or major vessels of the heart. These conditions can change the way blood moves through the heart and may cause the heart to work harder over time.
Common problems include valve narrowing, valve leakage, congenital defects, chamber enlargement, and structural abnormalities. Some are present from birth, while others develop from aging, high blood pressure, infection, rheumatic disease, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathy.
Heart and Vascular Specialists provides evaluation, echocardiographic monitoring, medication management, symptom assessment, and referral coordination for advanced valve or structural heart procedures when needed.
Symptoms patients may notice
- Shortness of breath, fatigue, or reduced exercise capacity
- Chest discomfort, dizziness, or fainting
- Heart murmur, palpitations, or irregular heartbeat
- Leg swelling or fluid retention
- Known abnormal Echocardiogram or prior congenital heart condition
How we evaluate this condition
- Physical exam and heart murmur evaluation
- EKG and Echocardiogram as core tests
- Stress testing, rhythm monitoring, cardiac CT/MRI, or transesophageal echo referral when appropriate
- Referral coordination with valve or structural heart teams for severe disease
Treatment and care options
- Medication management for symptoms, blood pressure, rhythm, or heart failure when appropriate
- Serial echo monitoring to track progression
- Coordination for surgical valve repair/replacement, TAVR, MitraClip/TEER, or other advanced procedures when indicated
- Patient education about warning symptoms and follow-up timing
When to seek urgent care
Call 911 for chest pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath, stroke-like symptoms, or sudden severe weakness.
Schedule a heart valve evaluation.
