The problem with heart-valve disease

PATIENTS with increasing shortness of breath and palpitations may not necessarily be harbouring significant narrowing of their heart arteries. The problem with such patients could lie with their heart valves, as was the case in three patients discussed here.

Valve disease is less commonly recognised, given that the symptoms are more subtle and usually develop gradually. However, recognising valve disease is important if sudden death is to be prevented.

Mitral valve prolapse