Comprehensive care for heart valve disease
At Mayo Clinic Healthcare, heart valve disease care is built around expert evaluation, advanced diagnostics and a patient-centred approach. Our cardiologists specialise in assessing complex valve conditions, using state-of-the-art imaging and testing to provide clear, accurate answers — often within days.
Our consultants work collaboratively across specialties to ensure you receive a care management plan that addresses your exact symptoms and disease type.
What is heart valve disease?
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.
Heart valve disease occurs when your heart valves are not functioning as they should. This can manifest in two primary ways:
- Stenosis. The valve narrows or stiffens, restricting blood flow.
- Regurgitation (insufficiency or leak). 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.
Diagnosing heart valve disease
Determining the exact nature and severity of your heart valve disease is the first step toward effective treatment. Your Mayo Clinic Healthcare expert begins by discussing your symptoms and conducting a thorough physical exam, including listening for a heart murmur, which often indicates a valve problem. This initial valve disease screening is crucial.
Based on your examination, your doctor may recommend further testing to get a clear picture of your heart's condition. These tests may include:
- Echocardiogram uses sound waves to create detailed images of your heart's structure, function and blood flow. We offer advanced options such as transoesophageal echocardiograms (including 3D imaging) and transthoracic echocardiograms.
- Cardiac MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed pictures of your heart.
- CT coronary angiogram uses X-rays to create detailed images of your heart and its blood vessels, which can help assess conditions such as aortic dilation.
- Chest X-ray helps visualize your lungs and heart size.
- Electrocardiogram records the electrical activity of your heart, helping to detect rhythm problems.
- Exercise tests or stress tests assess how your heart functions under physical stress, often involving a treadmill or stationary bike.
Managing heart valve disease
Your Mayo Clinic Healthcare consultant cardiologist will develop a personalized 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. Procedures such as the transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) offer less-invasive options for conditions such as aortic stenosis.
- Percutaneous valve leak closure. This minimally invasive technique can repair leaks around a replaced valve.
- 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.
Expert care at Mayo Clinic Healthcare’s Valve Clinic
Our dedicated Valve Clinic at Mayo Clinic Healthcare provides comprehensive assessment and management for all types of valve disease, including aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral valve prolapse, mitral regurgitation and more.
We offer advanced diagnostics, personalized treatment plans and ongoing follow-up. Consultations are available to guide you through diagnosis, treatment and recovery, with a steadfast focus on patient-centred care.
Request an appointment online or call us at +44 (0) 207 871 2575.