---
title: "Understanding heart valve disease and its symptoms"
description: "A patient-friendly introduction to heart valve disease, possible symptoms, echocardiography and the role of specialist assessment and follow-up."
url: "https://www.drmartins.org/blog/understanding-heart-valve-disease/"
author: "Dr Joao Martins"
medical_reviewer: "Dr Joao Martins"
review_status: "approved"
topic_cluster: "heart-valve-disease"
date_published: "2026-08-23"
date_modified: "2026-09-01"
---

# Understanding heart valve disease and its symptoms

Heart valve conditions can develop gradually. This introduction explains common symptoms and how valve function is assessed.

## What do the heart valves do?

The four heart valves help blood move through the heart in the correct direction. A valve may become narrowed or may not close fully, allowing blood to leak backwards.

## Possible symptoms

Some valve conditions cause no symptoms initially. Others may be associated with breathlessness, reduced exercise capacity, chest discomfort, palpitations, dizziness or swelling. These symptoms are not specific to valve disease and need appropriate assessment.

## How valve disease is assessed

An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to examine the structure and function of the heart. The findings are interpreted together with symptoms, examination and wider health. Follow-up or treatment decisions depend on the valve involved, severity and individual circumstances.

## Sources

- [Heart valve disease](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heart-valve-disease/) — NHS

---

General information only. It does not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis or emergency care. In an emergency call 999.