Diagnosing Heart Valve Disease: Stethoscope Check and Further Testing

Heart Valve Disease
QUICK LINKS

The Condition – Overview
– Aortic Stenosis
– Aortic Regurgitation
– Mitral Regurgitation
– Tricuspid Valve Disease
– Bicuspid Aortic Valve
– Endocarditis
– Related Illnesses
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Pre-Treatment
Treatment
After Care
Materials
Patient Stories
Know Your Heart

Heart Valve Disease Diagnosis

Heart valve disease is highly treatable if diagnosed early. If you are over 65 or experiencing any symptoms of heart valve disease, consult your GP for a check-up.

Stethoscope Check

The initial step in diagnosing heart valve disease is a stethoscope examination. During this check, your doctor will listen for characteristic heart sounds, such as a “murmur” or “click-murmur,” which may indicate a valve disorder. The doctor will auscultate (listen) at four different positions on your chest to detect any abnormal sounds.

GP Visit

When visiting your GP, it’s helpful to:

Record any symptoms you are experiencing.
Keep track of your exercise routine and any associated symptoms of tiredness or breathlessness.

Click here to access our symptom tracker

What to Expect During Your GP Visit:

Pulse Check: The GP will assess your pulse rate and rhythm.
Blood Pressure Measurement: Your blood pressure will be recorded.
Stethoscope Examination: The GP will use a stethoscope to listen for any abnormal heart murmurs.

Further Investigation

If an abnormal heart murmur is detected, your GP will refer you for further testing at a hospital. Diagnostic tests may include:

Electrocardiography (ECG): Records the heart’s electrical activity.
Echocardiography: Uses ultrasound to create images of the heart.

These tests help cardiologists accurately diagnose the type and severity of heart valve disease, whether it’s stenosis, regurgitation, or another condition. The results will guide the appropriate treatment plan.

Cardiac Catheterisation

Catheters are inserted into a vein and an artery to help determine the function and condition of the heart, valves and coronary arteries. It is the only test that can provide an accurate “road map” of the coronary arteries.

Chest X-Ray

This reveals general information about the size and shape of the heart. If a heart becomes enlarged due to valve disease it, will assume different shapes depending on the particular valve disorder.

Electrocardiography

This simple test records the heart’s electrical activity via electrodes attached to the skin. It is the most direct way to assess the rhythm of the heart. The electrical impulses are recorded in the form of waves on graph paper.

Echocardiography and Doppler Echocardiography

This painless, non-invasive test is used routinely to diagnose valve abnormalities. Ultrasound equipment takes images of the heart while it’s beating, providing a view of blood flow through the heart and identifying areas of regurgitation, if present.

Radionuclide Ventriculography

A nuclear scanning method, this tests injects a small amount of radiation into the body via the bloodstream. The radiation is monitored while the patient is at rest and during exercise, providing information about the heart muscle and blood flow, as well as the size and shape of the heart’s pumping chambers (ventriculi).

Transoesophageal Echo

Passing a probe down the oesophagus provides an image of the heart from behind. This test may be used both prior to and during surgery to accurately show valve regurgitation.

Tips for family, friends and carers

Think about these things before you visit the GP:

When did they first notice their symptoms of breathlessness, chest pains, dizziness, fainting or difficulty exercising?
Have they come on suddenly or gradually?
Have they worsened since first experienced?
What impact have the symptoms had on the patient’s lifestyle? Have they overlooked signs and symptoms, or misdiagnosed them as the natural ageing process?
Do they have a medical history of cardiovascular disease, rheumatic fever, connective tissue disorders or any other co-morbidities?

Heart Valve Disease
QUICK LINKS

Heart Valve Disease – Overview

Patient Story: Morgan

In January this year, while at an appointment with her GP, 63-year-old Morgan, mentioned she had started becoming breathless and had a sharp pain in her chest while walking up an incline. Recognising these were symptoms of a potential heart condition, her GP listened to her heart and heard a murmur. Just weeks later, Morgan was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis, requiring an urgent, lifesaving intervention.