What is a leaky valve?
Other Qs & As
My son, who is 16, has just had an ECG (echocardiogram) check-up because he was born with an innocent hole in his heart.
However, the ECG has shown that he has a 'leaky valve' and is apparently 'nothing to worry about'.
Could you please let me know what a leaky valve is and if there needs to be any repair treatment needed, or if untreated, what the long-term effects are.
The heart consists of four chambers and a number of valves which open and shut repeatedly to control the flow of blood into, through and out of the chambers.
If one of the valves becomes a bit 'leaky', the blood flow through the heart may become more turbulent than normal and this may produce a noise that can be heard through a stethoscope as a heart murmur.
If the leaking is severe it may alter the pressure in one or more of the chambers.
Over time this may put a strain on the heart and eventually cause a person to develop symptoms of heart failure such as breathlessness or swollen feet and ankles.
You mentioned that your son has had a 'hole in the heart' since birth, and the 'leaky valve' has only recently been diagnosed as a result of him having an ECG (a recording of the heart's electrical activity).
Although an ECG may suggest certain structural problems in the heart, a definite diagnosis isn't usually made until the person has had an echocardiogram (a type of scan which produces pictures of the inside of the heart).
You don't say that your son has had an echocardiogram, but this test is usually done to confirm the presence of a leaky valve. It can also give an indication of how mild or severe a leaking valve is.
With minor heart valve problems, no treatment is necessary. Your son's condition may remain stable throughout his life and if so, is unlikely to cause him any problems.
If the leaky valve became a lot worse over the years he might require medication to ease the strain on his heart, or if the problem was severe, surgery to replace the valve.
From what you have been told so far it seems your son's problem is very minor and therefore will probably not cause him any symptoms at all.
The NetDoctor Medical Team