Heart Valve Problems and Causes

Any heart problem can seem overwhelming at first, but there are many treatment options available.

View our heart valve animations library.

If you’re seeking to better understand a heart valve problem, you may want to learn more about the possible link between a heart murmur and valve disease. Not all heart murmurs lead to problems, so it’s good to understand why some are considered "innocent murmurs."

Find articles and helpful media to educate those affected by valve disease:

• If your valve is too narrow or doesn’t allow enough blood to flow through it, the stenosis section will help you learn more and why it develops.
• Mitral valve prolapse affects many people. Although it can be mild and not have any symptoms, in some people the valve starts to leak and can cause symptoms.
• Leaky valves are often referred to as “regurgitant valves” or by the condition known as valve regurgitation.
• Although many valve problems develop because of age-related factors, sometimes valve conditions develop due to illnesses, such as rheumatic fever (PDF)(link opens in new window) and infective endocarditis.