Your heart valves have one job: Keep blood moving in the right direction.
But when one of those valves doesn’t close as tightly as it should, a little blood can slip backward. That’s what doctors call a leaky heart valve.
Although a leaky heart valve can sound scary, it doesn’t always mean something serious is wrong.
“Many valve leaks are mild, and even more advanced cases are very treatable today,” says Matthew Miller, MD, a cardiovascular medicine specialist with the Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute.
Here’s what it really means and what you should look out for.
What heart valves actually do
Your heart has four valves, which act like one-way doors.
They open to keep blood moving forward, then close to stop it from flowing backward.
“A leaky valve means one of those doors isn’t closing all the way,” explains Dr. Miller. “When that happens, some blood slips backward, also known as regurgitation.”
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What causes a leaky valvee
So why does a heart valve start leaking in the first place?
Sometimes, it comes down to wear and tear.
“Our valves open and close about 100,000 times a day,” says Dr. Miller. “Over time, that constant motion can add up, and the valve tissue may stiffen or stretch.”
But age isn’t the only reason. Other common causes of a leaky valve include:
- Mitral valve prolapse: This is when a valve is “floppy” and bulges backward. It’s common and often harmless, but in some cases it can get worse.
- Heart enlargement: If the heart stretches, it can pull the valve apart. Sometimes the valve itself is normal, but the heart has changed.
- Infection: An infection can damage the valve and cause sudden, more severe leakage. This often comes with more noticeable symptoms.
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Signs of a leaky heart valve
Often, you might not notice anything at first.
“Mild leaks are usually picked up during a routine exam, when we hear a murmur,” says Dr. Miller. “As the leak gets worse, symptoms may appear.”
You might notice:
- Shortness of breath.
- Fatigue.
- Leg swelling.
- A drop in exercise tolerance.
“With valve disease, symptoms tend to creep up,” he adds. “Patients often don’t always realize how much they’ve slowed down.”
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Not all leaky heart valves are serious
How serious it is usually depends on how much blood is leaking backward and whether the heart is under strain.
Many mild cases don’t get worse or affect daily life, and they just need to be monitored.
“More significant leaks, though, can strain the heart over time and may lead to heart failure if left untreated,” says Dr. Miller.
> Related: 6 Warning Signs of Heart Failure You Shouldn’t Ignore
How doctors treat leaky heart valves
Treatment depends on which valve is affected, how severe the leak is and how well your heart is working.
Care may include:
- Regular checkups.
- Medication to manage symptoms.
- Repairing or replacing the valve in more advanced cases.
“The timing of treatment really matters,” says Dr. Miller. “We don’t want to act too early, but we also don’t want to wait too long. The good news is that we have more treatment options than ever, including surgery and minimally invasive catheter-based procedures. We work closely with cardiac surgeons to tailor treatment to each patient’s valve condition and overall risk.”
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When to see a doctor
If you’re noticing symptoms or if you’ve been told you have a heart murmur but haven’t had imaging yet, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor.
“Most valve problems are very manageable, especially when we catch them early,” says Dr. Miller. “With the right timing and treatment, we’re able to help patients live longer, healthier lives.”
