Signs and symptoms of valvular disease

Valvular disease may be asymptomatic or it may cause symptoms such as the following:

• Shortness of breath

• Fatigue

• Palpitations

• Rapid heartbeat

• Swelling of ankles

• Prominence of veins in the neck

• Cough

• Difficulty with exertion

Screening and detection for valve problems

Regular and lifelong screening using an echocardiogram is done to check for possible valve problems caused by radiation to the heart. You and your healthcare provider should check the current guidelines and recommended screening schedules online at: Children’s Oncology Group, Long-Term Follow-Up Guidelines for Survivors of Child, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancers, V6 (Oct 2023). See Resources for website and link.

Medical and surgical management of heart valve damage

Medical management should involve frequent surveillance for symptoms in at-risk survivors. A variety of medications and lifestyle modifications may be used to treat heart valve damage. Severe damage to valves in the heart may require surgery to replace the valves. This care should be directed by a cardiologist.

If you have valve damage or have had a valve replaced, you should take an antibiotic before dental work or any other invasive procedure (such as a colonoscopy). The antibiotic can help prevent endocarditis, a serious heart infection caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream during the procedure. The healthcare provider who will do the procedure (dentist or doctor) should write the prescription for you.