- Heart Valve Disease Clinic
Heart Valve Disease Clinic
At Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London, we provide expert-led, specialist care for people diagnosed with heart valve conditions. Our experienced cardiology team delivers comprehensive assessment, advanced diagnostics and access to innovative treatment options.
We understand that concerns about your heart can feel overwhelming. Whether you have been referred following the detection of a heart murmur or are experiencing new symptoms, our team works quickly to provide clear answers and a structured plan for heart valve disease treatment.
Your heart has four valves that act like one-way doors, ensuring blood flows efficiently in the correct direction through your heart. When one or more of these valves don't open or close properly, it disrupts blood flow, leading to a condition known as heart valve disease. This malfunction can cause a range of signs and symptoms that affect your daily life.
This can manifest in two primary ways:
Stenosis is when the valve narrows or stiffens, restricting blood flow.
Regurgitation (insufficiency or leak) is when the valve doesn't close tightly, allowing blood to leak backward.
Common types of heart valve disease include:
Aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve narrows. This narrowing prevents the valve from opening fully, restricting blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta. As a result, the heart must work harder to pump blood, which can lead to symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness and shortness of breath.
Aortic regurgitation, also known as aortic insufficiency, happens when the aortic valve does not close tightly. This allows blood to leak backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. The heart then has to pump more blood with each beat to compensate for this leakage, which can strain the heart over time and cause symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath.
Mitral valve prolapse is a condition in which the leaflets (flaps) of the mitral valve bulge back into the left atrium during the heart's contraction. In many cases, this condition is mild and causes no symptoms. However, in some individuals, it can lead to mitral regurgitation if the prolapse causes the valve to leak.
Mitral regurgitation occurs when the mitral valve does not close properly, allowing blood to leak backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium. This backward flow reduces the amount of blood pumped forward to the body and can cause the left atrium and ventricle to enlarge. Symptoms often include shortness of breath, fatigue and an irregular heartbeat.
Mitral stenosis is a condition in which the mitral valve narrows. This narrowing restricts blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle. As blood flow is impeded, pressure builds up in the left atrium, which can lead to fluid backup in the lungs and cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue and swelling in the legs and ankles.
Conditions such as rheumatic heart disease also can damage heart valves over time, and structural issues like bicuspid aortic valve or aortic dilation can predispose individuals to valve disease.
Through a number of tests, we can help to diagnose and treat the following heart valve problems:
- Heart murmur
- Chest pain
- Abdominal swelling
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling of ankles and feet
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Irregular heartbeat
At Mayo Clinic Healthcare, we provide clear answers and effective options when it matters most, so that you can make an informed decision of your treatment plan.
To determine the exact nature and severity of your heart valve disease, your Mayo Clinic Healthcare expert will talk to you about your symptoms. You will receive a physical exam, including listening for a heart murmur, which can indicate a heart valve condition.
Based on the exam, you may be recommended for further testing, which may include:
- Transesophageal echocardiogram, including 3D
- Transthoracic echocardiogram
- CT coronary angiogram
- Cardiac MRI
- Chest X-ray
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Exercise tests or stress tests
Our access to advanced cardiac imaging allows us to precisely evaluate valve structure and function, ensuring any decision regarding monitoring, intervention or heart valve surgery is based on detailed, high-quality information.
Your Mayo Clinic Healthcare consultant cardiologist will develop a personalised management plan based on the specific type and severity of your heart valve disease, the symptoms you experience, and whether your condition is progressing. Management options vary widely and may include:
Monitoring - For mild conditions, regular follow-up appointments and echocardiograms help track your valve's status.
Lifestyle changes - Adopting heart-healthy habits can support your overall cardiovascular well-being.
Medications - We may prescribe medicines to manage symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath or irregular heartbeats.
To ensure you get the exact care you need, your Mayo Clinic Healthcare consultant may refer you to a trusted health professional for advanced procedures, such as valve repair or replacement.
Options may include:
- Transcatheter valve repair (TAVI) - Replace a narrowed aortic valve using a catheter inserted through a blood vessel, usually in the groin, without the need for open-heart surgery.
- Percutaneous valve leak closure - Used to seal leaks around or within a heart valve, helping to restore proper blood flow and reduce symptoms.
- Surgical repair - Traditional open-heart surgery, minimally invasive surgery, robot-assisted procedures or catheter-based techniques can be used for valve repair.
- Biological valve replacement - Using valves made from animal tissue.
- Mechanical valve replacement - Using artificial valves.
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) - A minimally invasive procedure for aortic valve replacement.
Depending on your needs, heart valve surgery may be recommended. Regular follow-up visits with your Mayo Clinic Healthcare cardiologist are essential to monitor your progress and ensure your treatment plan remains effective.
For some patients, careful monitoring and medication may be appropriate. For others, minimally invasive intervention or heart valve surgery may provide the most effective solution.
Our team works collaboratively across London and the United States to ensure you benefit from the latest techniques and evidence-based innovations. This collaborative approach means doctors can often evaluate you and develop a treatment plan within two or three days.
Every patient’s condition is unique. That is why we design an individualised valve disease treatment plan built around your diagnosis, symptoms, lifestyle and long-term health goals. We consider not only the severity of your valve disease but also your overall health, activity levels and personal preferences.
For some patients, careful monitoring and medication may be appropriate. For others, minimally invasive intervention or heart valve surgery may provide the most effective solution.
Our team works collaboratively across London and the United States to ensure you benefit from the latest techniques and evidence-based innovations. This collaborative approach means doctors can often evaluate you and develop a treatment plan within two or three days.
If you have been diagnosed following investigation of a heart murmur or more advanced symptoms, we take the time to explain your options clearly and support you in making informed decisions. This personalised approach ensures your care is precise, proactive and aligned with the best possible long-term outcomes.
Private health insurance for heart valve disease treatment
Mayo Clinic Healthcare works with all major private health insurance providers, including AXA PPP, Aviva, BUPA, Health Partners Group, Vitality Health and WPA. Self-pay arrangements are also available.
Our team is available to assist with appointments, answer your questions and guide you through the next steps. Request an appointment with us or call us at +44 (0) 207 871 2575.
- Heart Valve Disease Clinic