Heart valve disease, made clear.

Four valves act as one-way doors, keeping blood moving in the right direction through the heart.

The aortic, mitral, tricuspid, and pulmonary valves each have a different position and job.

Stenosis means a valve is too narrow. Regurgitation means it leaks backward. Either can make the heart work harder.

Severity matters: a mild valve problem may only need monitoring.

An echocardiogram shows how a valve opens and closes. Treatment may include follow-up scans, medicines for symptoms, valve repair, or replacement. Some replacements can be placed through a catheter.

This picture shows TAVR for the aortic valve. The best approach depends on the valve and your overall health.