If your doctor suspects that you have a heart valve problem, he or she will want to examine you further and possibly refer you to a cardiologist. To make the diagnosis, your doctor will do the following:

• Examine you. Your doctor can learn a lot about your valve problem by listening to your heart, discussing your symptoms, and checking your vital signs. Click here to learn about the physical examination for heart valve problems.
• Recommend tests. Testing is used to confirm your doctor’s preliminary diagnosis and to continue monitoring and tracking the development of the valve problem. Click here to learn about the tests that doctors may recommend to diagnose heart valve problems.

You can contribute to the accuracy of your diagnosis by sharing as much information as possible about your symptoms and asking the right questions. Click here for Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Heart Valve Disease.

Additional Information

• Types of Heart Valve Disease

• Risk Factors

• Symptoms

• Understand Your Heart Valves

• Treatment Options

• Living Healthy With Heart Valve Disease

• Talking With Your Doctor

• Resources