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 2
What symptoms might I feel?
Valve disease symptoms can develop slowly. You might notice that activities become harder, or you may have no symptoms at all. Do not assume a change in stamina is simply part of getting older.
Common symptoms
- Shortness of breath: With walking, stairs, or other activities; sometimes when lying flat.
- Fatigue or reduced stamina: Needing more rest or struggling with activities you previously handled easily.
- Chest discomfort: Pressure, tightness, or pain, especially with activity.
- Dizziness or fainting: Feeling lightheaded or losing consciousness.
- Swelling: In the ankles, feet, legs, or abdomen.
- Palpitations: A racing, pounding, fluttering, or irregular heartbeat.
Can I have significant valve disease without symptoms?
Yes. How you feel does not always tell us how severe the valve problem is. Keep your scheduled visits and echocardiograms even when you feel well.
When should I contact my care team?
Report new or worsening breathlessness, swelling, chest discomfort, dizziness, or difficulty with usual activities promptly.
When is it an emergency?
Call 911 for severe or persistent chest pain, sudden severe breathing difficulty, or fainting with ongoing symptoms. Do not drive yourself.
These symptoms can have several causes. Your care team will determine whether a valve problem is responsible.
NIH: Valve disease symptoms · AHA: Symptoms of valve problems
Updated October 2026. Educational information; your own care plan may differ. Medical illustrations are simplified examples for teaching.