Living With Heart Valve Disease

Living with untreated heart valve disease is like climbing a mountain with a heavy backpack that you can never take off. Every step feels harder than it should. It can be hard to breathe. And your heart may pound like you’re racing to the summit — even when you’re just standing still. That’s because your heart is working overtime.

Valve disease makes your heart work harder than it should. Over time, that strain adds up.

Each valve has leaflets — flaps that open and close to let blood flow forward. These valves sit between heart chambers or between a heart chamber and a major blood vessel.

When Heart Valves Don’t Work Properly

Sometimes, heart valves don’t work like they should due to a condition you develop or are born with. This is called heart valve disease, and it can take different forms:

• Stenosis: The valve flaps get stiff and narrow
• Regurgitation: The valve doesn’t close completely
• Prolapse: The valve flaps are too stretchy
• Atresia: A valve doesn’t form correctly before birth

A leaky or narrowed valve can make it more difficult for your heart to pump. This limits the amount of oxygen-rich blood that gets to your body.

If you have valve disease, your cardiologist can help you explore the right treatment options to keep your heart working at its best.

What you can do at home

A healthy lifestyle can help you feel better and support your heart. When it comes to daily choices, you’re in the driver’s seat.

If you have heart valve disease, caring for your teeth and gums is key. Good oral health helps prevent infective endocarditis, an infection that can damage heart valves.

Brush your teeth twice a day (morning and night). And floss between your teeth before going to bed. See your dentist and hygienist regularly for exams and cleaning appointments.

You can also protect your heart by avoiding tobacco and eating heart-healthy foods. Focus on eating more fruits, vegetables and other foods low in salt and fat. Try adding these good-for-your-heart foods to your grocery list:

• Fish, like salmon or tuna
• Walnuts
• Pumpkin or chia seeds
• Berries
• Apples, pears and grapes
• Brown rice, oatmeal and quinoa
• Veggies like beans, carrots and kale

If you’d like to follow a plan, check out the Mediterranean diet. It focuses on plants, whole grains, fish and healthy fats.

Keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol in check also helps ease strain on your heart. And staying physically active is important, too. Ask your healthcare provider what level of physical activity is best for you.