Living with Valve Disease

Exercise

Regular exercise is encouraged unless your specialist advises otherwise.

Healthy Lifestyle

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for your overall heart health.

The NHS Live Well website provides useful information about:

  • Exercise
  • Healthy eating
  • Weight management
  • Smoking cessation
  • Sleep
  • Mental wellbeing

Pregnancy

If you are considering pregnancy, please speak to your valve specialist before trying to conceive.

Early specialist advice can help ensure the safest possible pregnancy for both mother and baby.

Family Screening

Some valve conditions can affect close relatives.

If screening is recommended, we will discuss this with you and provide the necessary information.

Valve Infections (Infective Endocarditis)

What is infective endocarditis?

Infective endocarditis is a rare but serious infection of the lining of the heart or heart valves.

People with some forms of valve disease have a higher risk of developing this infection.

How can I reduce my risk?

Good dental care is one of the most important ways to reduce your risk.

We recommend:

  • Brushing your teeth twice daily
  • Attending regular dental check-ups
  • Seeking prompt treatment for dental problems
  • Informing your dentist that you have heart valve disease

Avoiding injectable recreational drugs is also important.

What symptoms should I look out for?

Contact your GP or the valve team if you develop:

  • Fever
  • Night sweats
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Unusual tiredness
  • Persistent flu-like symptoms

What should I do if I am worried?

If you think you may have infective endocarditis, contact your GP or the valve team urgently.

Early diagnosis and treatment are very important.

Tests You May Need (with more detailed descriptions of TOE, MRI, CT, CPX etc ) as separate page

Contact Us

Specialist Heart Valve Nurses
0113 3925298

Email:
[email protected]

Clinic Appointments
0113 3926642

Investigation Appointments
0113 3922063

If you are unsure whether you need advice, please contact the valve nursing team and we will be happy to help.

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