Abnormal Heart Valve Physiology C4703465
A heart valve that does not open or close properly, affecting blood flow. It can affect people of all ages. Management may include medications or valve repair surgery.
Key facts at a glance
- ICD-10
- I78.0
- ICD-11
- BA00.0
- Body system
- cardiovascular
- Severity
- moderate
- Chronic
- true
Signs and symptoms
Common signs and symptoms that may indicate this condition.
Warning signs - seek immediate care
Chest discomfort
Pressure, tightness, or pain in the chest that may radiate to the arm, jaw, or back, often triggered by physical exertion.
Call emergency services if chest pain is severe, lasts more than a few minutes, or is accompanied by sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath.
Fainting
Temporary loss of consciousness caused by inadequate blood flow to the brain, often triggered by exertion or standing quickly.
Seek emergency care immediately after any fainting episode, as it may indicate a serious cardiac condition.
Shortness of breath
(cardiovascular)Difficulty breathing, especially during physical activity or when lying flat, caused by the heart's reduced ability to pump blood effectively.
Frequency: 70-80% of patients
Fatigue
(constitutional)Persistent tiredness and lack of energy that interferes with daily activities, resulting from reduced cardiac output.
Frequency: 65-75% of patients
Heart palpitations
(cardiovascular)Awareness of a racing, fluttering, or irregular heartbeat, often felt in the chest or throat.
Frequency: 40-50% of patients
Dizziness
(neurologic)Feeling lightheaded, unsteady, or faint, often occurring when standing up quickly due to reduced blood flow to the brain.
Frequency: 30-40% of patients
Leg and ankle swelling
(cardiovascular)Fluid buildup causing puffiness in the lower legs and ankles, often worse at the end of the day.
Frequency: 35-45% of patients
Persistent cough
(respiratory)Ongoing cough that may produce white or pink frothy sputum, resulting from fluid backing up into the lungs.
Frequency: 25-35% of patients
Diagnosis and tests
How this condition is diagnosed and what test results mean.
Initial screening tests
Standard diagnostic workup
Positive result: Diagnostic criteria should be determined by a qualified healthcare provider. [Content pending medical review.]
Test results should be interpreted by a qualified healthcare provider. [Content pending medical review.]
Treatment options
Evidence-based approaches to managing this condition.
First-line treatments
Disease management and monitoring
Treatment options should be discussed with a qualified healthcare provider.
Regular echocardiographic surveillance
Serial echocardiography to monitor valve function progression, chamber dimensions, and cardiac function. Frequency determined by disease severity and progression rate.
Diuretics and afterload reducers
Loop diuretics to reduce fluid overload combined with ACE inhibitors or ARBs to reduce cardiac workload and prevent adverse cardiac remodeling.
Additional treatment options
Valve repair or replacement
Surgical intervention to repair damaged valves when conservative management fails or severe dysfunction is present. Valve repair is preferred when anatomically feasible.
surgicalCardiac rehabilitation and activity modification
Structured exercise program designed to improve cardiovascular fitness while avoiding excessive cardiac strain. Includes education on activity limits and heart-healthy living.
lifestylePercutaneous balloon valvuloplasty
Catheter-based procedure using an inflatable balloon to widen narrowed valve openings, particularly for suitable candidates with mitral or aortic stenosis.
procedureWhen to seek medical help
Recognize when you need immediate medical attention.
Schedule an appointment soon
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this topic.
What is Abnormal Heart Valve Physiology C4703465?
Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical information about this condition. [Content pending medical review.]
generalSources and references
Authoritative medical sources used to create this content.
Otto CM, Nishimura RA, Bonow RO, et al. 2020 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Management of Patients with Valvular Heart Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2021;143(4):e72-e227.
Vahanian A, Beyersdorf F, Praz F, et al. 2021 ESC Guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease. European Heart Journal. 2022;43(7):561-632.
Lindman BR, Clavel MA, Mathieu P, et al. Calcific aortic stenosis. Nature Reviews Disease Primers. 2016;2:16006.
Zoghbi WA, Adams D, Bonow RO, et al. Recommendations for Noninvasive Evaluation of Native Valvular Regurgitation: A Report from the American Society of Echocardiography. Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography. 2017;30(4):303-371.
Baumgartner H, Iung B, Otto CM. Timing of intervention in asymptomatic patients with valvular heart disease. European Heart Journal. 2020;41(29):2729-2740.
Leon MB, Smith CR, Mack MJ, et al. Transcatheter or Surgical Aortic-Valve Replacement in Intermediate-Risk Patients. New England Journal of Medicine. 2016;374(17):1609-1620.
Braunwald E, Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2019.
Andell P, Li X, Martinsson A, et al. Epidemiology of valvular heart disease in the Swedish inpatient population. Open Heart. 2020;7(1):e001095.
Bonow RO, O'Gara PT, Adams DH, et al. 2020 Focused Update of the 2017 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway on the Management of Mitral Regurgitation. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2020;75(17):2236-2270.
Nkomo VT, Gardin JM, Skelton TN, Gottdiener JS, Scott CG, Enriquez-Sarano M. Burden of valvular heart diseases: a population-based study. The Lancet. 2006;368(9540):1005-1011.
Medication Comparisons
Compare medications used to treat Abnormal Heart Valve Physiology C4703465. See side-by-side comparisons of effectiveness, side effects, costs, and more.
View Medication ComparisonsThis information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 25, 2026. · Read our editorial policy