As you get older, you may expect to feel a little slower. Climbing the stairs might leave you feeling winded. Yard work takes longer. Or you find yourself napping more than you used to.
While these changes often come with age, they can also be signs of something more serious, like heart valve disease. Because symptoms overlap with what many people think of as “just getting older,” heart valve problems are often missed until they become a life-threatening concern.
We spoke with Paul Sorajja, MD, an interventional cardiologist with Banner - University Medicine, to learn more about the difference between normal aging and heart valve disease.
Common signs of aging vs. signs of heart valve disease
It’s normal for your body to change as you age. You might move more slowly, feel stiffness in the morning or notice that you get tired more quickly. These are common, expected parts of the aging process.
But when symptoms affect your daily life, they could be pointing to something else.
Heart valve disease symptoms to watch for include:
- Shortness of breath, especially during activity
- Chest pain or pressure
- Fatigue (exhaustion) with light activity
- Swelling in your ankles or feet
- Dizziness or fainting
“Quite often, the symptoms are confused with aging, which is highly unfortunate because symptoms indicate a life-threatening disease is present,” Dr. Sorajja said. “This overlap is why it’s so important not to dismiss new or worsening symptoms.”
If you or a loved one feels “too tired” or “too winded” for daily tasks, it may be time to talk to your health care provider.
What causes heart valve disease?
Your heart has four valves that act like doors. They open and close to keep blood flowing in the right direction. If one or more valves stop working properly, your heart must work harder to pump blood.
Dr. Sorajja shared that valve problems usually fall into two categories:
- Stenosis (narrowing): The valve becomes too tight and restricts blood flow.
- Regurgitation (leaking): The valve doesn’t close properly, allowing blood to flow backward.
“As a result, blood pressure builds up in the heart and lungs, leading to heart failure symptoms and life-threatening situations,” Dr. Sorajja said.
Causes of heart valve damage include:
- Aging and wear and tear (the most common cause)
- Congenital heart defects (problems present at birth)
- Infections such as rheumatic fever
- Radiation treatment to the chest
- Calcium buildup on the valve
While aging is a major risk factor, even younger adults and middle-aged people can develop valve disease as well.
When to talk to your health care provider
You don’t have to know whether your symptoms are from aging or a valve problem. This is your provider’s job. But you do need to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.
Here are red flags that go beyond normal aging:
- You get short of breath while doing daily tasks, like walking the dog or carrying groceries
- You feel chest pressure or tightness
- You faint or feel dizzy during activity
- You have noticeable swelling in your legs, ankles or feet
If you’re unsure, keep a symptom journal. Write down when you feel short of breath, dizzy or overly tired. Share this with your provider. It gives them clues about what may be going on.
How heart valve problems are diagnosed
Your provider may start by listening to your heart with a stethoscope to check for murmurs (unusual sounds that may mean a valve isn’t working properly.)
Other tests may include:
- Echocardiogram (echo): An ultrasound of the heart that shows how valves open and close
- Stress test: Measures how your heart works during exercise
- Cardiac MRI or CT scan: Gives a detailed picture of your heart
- Cardiac catheterization: A more advanced test, done if other results are unclear
“These initial tests are non-invasive and help with the diagnosis,” Dr. Sorajja said. “When the initial tests are inconclusive, a heart catheterization may be done to study the valves further.”
A heart catheterization is a procedure where a thin, flexible tube is gently guided into a blood vessel in your arm or leg and then up into your heart. Doctors can use it to measure blood flow and pressure. Sometimes they inject dye to see how well the valves and arteries are working.
While this sounds intimidating, most people are awake but relaxed during the test and recovery is usually quick.
What happens if it is a valve problem?
If your provider finds a valve problem, don’t panic. Not all heart valve issues need treatment right away.
Treatments today are safer and more effective than ever. The type of treatment will depend on the type of valve issue you have, how severe it is, your age and medical history.
Options include:
- Watchful waiting: If symptoms are mild, your provider may monitor your condition with regular checkups.
- Medication: Drugs can ease symptoms like fluid buildup or irregular heartbeat, though they don’t fix the valve itself.
- Valve repair or replacement: Surgery or catheter-based procedures can restore normal blood flow.
One breakthrough procedure is TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement). Instead of open-heart surgery, doctors insert a new valve using a thin tube (catheter).
“The valve replacement is successful in more than 98% of cases with a procedural risk of only 1% to 2%,” Dr. Sorajja said. “Many of these treatments require only a short hospital stay and lead to many years of improvement in symptoms with a lower risk of heart failure.”
Takeaway: You don’t have to accept feeling worse with age
Many people believe fatigue, breathlessness and swelling are just a part of getting older. But if the cause is heart valve disease, it is treatable and sometimes reversible with proper care.
If you notice changes in your energy, don’t settle for “this is just aging.” With modern treatments, you can regain strength, stay active and enjoy the years ahead.
If you or someone you know has symptoms that could point to a heart valve problem, Banner Health’s team of heart valve specialists is here to help. Learn more about heart care at Banner Health. Schedule an appointment with a specialist today.
