Video: 8 things to know about your heart valves By Mayo Clinic Staff Share Facebook Twitter Print details Your heart valves work hard for you. How well do you know them? Learning how your heart valves work and the warning signs of damage can keep you from missing it if something goes wrong. Watch for 8 important things Mayo Clinic experts want you to know about your heart valves. Show transcript 8 things to know about your heart valves You have four heart valves. Healthy valves keep blood flowing in the right direction to carry oxygen and nutrients to your body. A damaged heart valve can weaken your heart. A bad valve can damage the heart and cause fluid buildup in your lungs and body. Extreme fatigue is a warning sign. Other noticeable symptoms of heart valve problems may include feeling faint or dizzy or having low energy. Some warning signs are emergencies. If you have chest pain or shortness of breath, see a doctor immediately. Symptoms can be subtle, too. Irregular or fast heartbeats and leg or foot swelling could be signs of valve problems that are easily overlooked. Early diagnosis is important. Catching and treating heart valve issues early can sometimes help prevent further damage. There's hope with treatment. Meds or interventions like a catheter procedure or surgery can keep you in the game. Regular checkups are key. Heart valve health can change. If you're concerned, make an appointment with your doctor. Guidance from the experts at Mayo Clinic.Get more healthy action tips delivered daily when you download the Mayo Clinic App. Show references About Heart Valves. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-valve-problems-and-disease/about-heart-valves. Accessed April 19, 2022. Heart valve disease. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/heart-valve-disease. Accessed Aug. 7, 2019. Brinkley D, et al. Valvular heart disease: Classic teaching and emerging paradigms. American Journal of Medicine. 2013. 126;12. VID-20466693