Valvular Heart Disease
About the disease & condition
Valvular Heart Disease (VHD) occurs when one or more of the heart’s valves—mitral, aortic, tricuspid, or pulmonary—malfunction due to narrowing (stenosis), leakage (regurgitation), or prolapse. This disrupts normal blood flow and may lead to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or heart failure. Causes include rheumatic fever, congenital defects, infections, or age-related degeneration. Early diagnosis, medical management, and surgical interventions such as valve repair or replacement help restore valve function and prevent complications.
Known Symptoms
- Shortness of breath during activity or lying down.
- Fatigue with reduced exercise tolerance or stamina.
- Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat episodes.
- Swelling in legs, ankles, or abdomen due to fluid.
Known Causes
- Rheumatic fever causing inflammatory damage to valves.
- Congenital heart defects present at birth.
- Age-related degeneration or calcification of valve structures.
- Infective endocarditis damaging valve leaflets or tissue.
Care
- Regular monitoring with echocardiography and cardiology follow-up.
- Medications to manage heart failure or control arrhythmias.
- Surgical repair or valve replacement for severe valve dysfunction.
- Lifestyle modifications including diet, exercise, and infection prevention.
Relevant Specialities
Cardiology
Our Cardiology Department delivers prevention, diagnosis and treatment for heart diseases through personalised care and advanced technology. Risk clinics for blood pressure and lipids offer non-invasive testing (ECG, echocardiogram, treadmill stress test, Holter monitor, and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring) and provide interventional services in a modern Catheterisation Laboratory, including device therapy and structural procedures. We maintain 24/7 cardiac ICU coverage and consultant availability to ensure rapid treatment for acute events. Post-procedure, patients receive tailored rehabilitation and multidisciplinary support that spans diabetes, pulmonary, and genetic services.
