Is a leaky heart valve very serious?
Left untreated, leaky heart valves can cause serious complications, including heart failure, atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) or pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lung’s vessels). The good news is that valve problems are often quite treatable.
What are the signs and symptoms of a leaky heart valve?
What are the signs and symptoms of a leaky heart valve?
- Shortness of breath.
- Leg swelling or puffiness over the face.
- Failure to thrive (children)
- Giddiness.
- Increased heartbeat.
- Heart palpitations.
- Fatigue.
How do I know if my leaky heart valve is getting worse?
As aortic valve regurgitation worsens, signs and symptoms may include: Shortness of breath with exercise or when you lie down. Fatigue and weakness, especially when you increase your activity level. Heart murmur.
What would cause a heart valve to leak?
Trauma can cause valves to leak, as can infection of the heart valve or damage from rheumatic fever. High blood pressure, pulmonary hypertension, and an enlarged heart can also cause leaking valves. Some heart surgeries to correct heart defects in children may result in leaking valves later in life.
Can leaky heart valve repair itself?
Unfortunately, heart valves do not tend to heal themselves. It is true that some infants born with heart murmurs will eventually grow out of the murmur as the heart matures.
How long can a dog live with a leaky heart valve?
After CHF develops, dogs are expected to continue to have an excellent quality of life with treatment, and most survive for an additional 12-18 months, although their survival time varies widely.
What is the life expectancy of a person with a leaky heart valve?
In developing countries, it progresses much more rapidly and may lead to symptoms in children less than 5 years of age. Around 80% of patients with mild symptoms live for at least 10 years after diagnosis.