What should I do now?
Call 911
Call 911 for chest pressure, severe trouble breathing, or fainting. Do not drive yourself.
Contact your care team
Contact your care team promptly for increasing breathlessness, swelling, reduced activity, new palpitations, dizziness, or near-fainting.
Keep your care plan
Keep your treatment and follow-up plan. Bring questions, readings, and your medication list.
SECTION 5
Living well with heart valve disease
Heart valve disease can change over time, even when you feel well. Regular care with your cardiologist helps identify changes and determine when treatment is needed.
Keep your follow-up appointments
Your cardiologist will recommend how often you need visits and echocardiograms based on your valve problem and its severity. Follow-up remains important after valve repair, replacement, or TAVR.
Pay attention to changes
Tell your care team if you notice:
- Increasing shortness of breath or fatigue.
- Difficulty doing activities that used to feel easy.
- New swelling in your legs or feet.
- Dizziness, near-fainting, or fainting.
- New chest discomfort or palpitations.
Do not assume these changes are simply part of getting older.
Stay active within your limits
Ask your cardiologist which activities are appropriate for you. Some patients can exercise normally, while others need restrictions until their valve is treated. After a procedure, ask whether cardiac rehabilitation would help your recovery.
Take medications as prescribed
Continue your medications and discuss side effects with your care team. If you take a blood thinner, do not stop it without instructions. Mechanical heart valves require lifelong warfarin and regular blood testing.
Protect your dental health
Brush, floss, and keep regular dental appointments. Tell your dentist about your valve condition and any valve procedure you have had.
Patients with replacement valves—including TAVR—or certain valve repair materials need antibiotics before some dental procedures. Your cardiologist and dentist will help determine what you need.
Know when to get urgent help
Call 911 for severe or persistent chest pain, severe sudden shortness of breath, or fainting with ongoing symptoms. Do not drive yourself.
Contact your care team promptly for unexplained fever, particularly if you have a repaired or replaced valve.
Updated October 2026. Educational information; your own care plan may differ. Medical illustrations are simplified examples for teaching.