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Heart valve disease Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, September 2008.

Answers to questions about heart valve disease

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

My doctor says that I have a mitral valve prolapse. What is this and do I need treatment?

About five in every 100 people have a mitral valve that is slightly misshapen and leaks. If you have palpitations or chest pain, beta blockers may help.

Explanation

A mitral valve prolapse can be a cause of a heart murmur (a noise from your heart caused by turbulent blood flow) but it doesn't usually cause serious problems. If you have a heart murmur, your GP will refer you to a cardiologist (a doctor specialising in identifying and treating conditions of the heart and blood vessels) to find out exactly what is causing it.

Mitral valve prolapses don't usually have symptoms but you may have chest pain (angina) or palpitations (an unpleasant awareness of the heartbeat, often described as a thumping in the chest).

You won't usually need treatment unless it's causing you problems. Your GP may prescribe you beta blockers (eg bisoprolol fumarate) to help with your chest pain and palpitations.

If you have a mitral valve prolapse, there is a risk that your valve can become infected. You may need to take antibiotics to prevent this.

Further information

Sources

  • Valvular heart disease. British Heart Foundation. 2005, Heart Information Series no. 11. www.bhf.org.uk
  • Longmore M, Wilkinson IB, Rajagopalan S. Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine. 6th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005:146
  • Joint Formulary Committee, British National Formulary. 54th ed. London: British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, 2007; 84, 89
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I had a heart valve replaced and my doctor says I am at risk of endocarditis. What is this?

Endocarditis is an infection in the lining of your heart. If you have a replacement or abnormal valve it can become infected. This infection can then spread to the lining of your heart.

Explanation

Endocarditis is a serious condition that can cause heart failure if treatment isn't started quickly.

Endocarditis occurs when an infection in your heart valve spreads to the lining of your heart. If bacteria get into your blood, they are more likely to stick to the abnormal valve or replacement valve and cause an infection.

You should seek medical advice as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms:

  • fever
  • night sweats
  • lack of energy
  • unintentional weight loss
  • a new heart murmur (a noise from your heart caused by turbulent blood flow) or a change in your existing murmur

These symptoms may mean that you have an infection.

If you're ill with a temperature, you should have your blood tested for infection before taking antibiotics. Your GP may refer you to hospital for this.

If you're having a surgical procedure and your doctor/surgeon thinks you may have an infection, you will be given antibiotics. If you're at risk of endocarditis you will be given different antibiotics that kill the bacteria responsible for endocarditis. This helps to prevent your valve from becoming infected.

To help prevent infection, you should practice good dental hygiene and have regular dental checkups.

For more information about preventing endocarditis talk to your GP.

Further information

Sources

  • Valvular heart disease. British Heart Foundation. 2005, Heart Information Series no. 11. www.bhf.org.uk
  • Longmore M, Wilkinson IB, Rajagopalan S. Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine. 6th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005: 146; 152
  • Simon C, Everitt H, Kendrick T. Oxford Handbook of General Practice. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007:348-349;366-367
  • Vahanian A, Baumgartner H, Bax J et al. Guidelines on the management of valvular heart disease. Eur Heart J 2007; 28:230-268. http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org
  • Preventing infective endocarditis. National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), 2008, Information about NICE clinical guideline 64. www.nice.org.uk
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If I have heart valve disease, are there any exercises that I shouldn't do?

Exercise is very good for your heart and overall health. It's important to be physically active if you have heart valve disease but you shouldn't do any type of activity that brings on symptoms such as chest pain (angina) or palpitations.

Explanation

Your heart is a muscle and like the other muscles in your body it gets stronger with exercise.

If you have heart valve disease, it's important that you talk to your GP about what type of exercise is best for you. It's very important to increase your levels of physical activity gradually. You shouldn't do any strenuous or vigorous activity such as weightlifting as this can put a strain on your heart.

With any exercise, you may want to involve your partner, family or friends to make it more fun.

You should stop exercising immediately if you feel:

  • shortness of breath
  • pain
  • dizzy or light-headed
  • sick

If you develop any of these symptoms and they don't go away after a few minutes you should see your GP.

Further information

Sources

  • Physical activity and your heart. British Heart Foundation, 2005, Heart Information Series no. 1. www.bhf.org.uk
  • Get active! British Heart Foundation, 2005, G12. www.bhf.org.uk
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Related topics

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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Dr Tim Cripps, DM, FRCP; Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, and by Bupa doctors. It has also been reviewed by the British Cardiac Patients Association. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: September 2008

 

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