What is a Leaky Heart Valve?

A leaky heart is a condition when one of the heart’s valves does not fully close and seal.

It is also commonly called:

• Heart valve regurgitation.
• Heart valve insufficiency.
• Heart valve incompetence.

Heart valves act like gates that open and close with each heartbeat. They ensure that blood flows in only one direction, preventing it from flowing backward. This flow is essential for maintaining proper circulation throughout the body.

When these “gates” do not close all the way, you have a leaky valve.

What is a Leaky Heart Valve?

A leaky heart can occur in one of the four valves.

To explain a leaky valve, it’s important to understand generally how they occur and why.

The heart has four chambers.

The two upper chambers called the atria collect blood returning to the heart.

It also has two lower chambers called the ventricles. These pump blood out to the body.

Heart valves are like one-way gates located between these chambers and at the exits of the heart.

When the heart muscle relaxes, the valves between the upper and lower chambers, or the atria and ventricles, open and allow blood to flow into the ventricles.

Then, when the heart muscle squeezes, these valves close, and different valves open to let blood flow out of the ventricles to the body and lungs.

The valves between the upper and lower chambers must close completely to prevent blood from flowing backward.

When you have a leaky valve, the valves between the upper and lower chambers do not close. This causes blood to backflow into the upper chambers of the heart.  

Types of Leaky Heart Valves

A leaky heart valve can occur in any of the four heart valves:

Mitral Valve Regurgitation:
The mitral valve controls blood flow between the left atrium and left ventricle. When this valve leaks, blood flows backward into the left atrium.

Aortic Valve Regurgitation:
The aortic valve controls blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta (the main artery that carries blood to the body). When this valve leaks, blood flows back into the left ventricle.

Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation:
The tricuspid valve controls blood flow between the right atrium and right ventricle. When this valve leaks, blood flows backward into the right atrium.

Pulmonary Valve Regurgitation:
The pulmonary valve controls blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery (which carries blood to the lungs). When this valve leaks, blood flows back into the right ventricle.

Each type of leaky valve can have different causes, symptoms, and treatment options. The severity of the leak can also vary, from mild to severe.

What does a leaky heart valve feel like?

• Chest pain or pressure.
• Coughing.
• Fatigue or weakness.
• Heart palpitations.
• Shortness of breath during physical activity.
• Swelling (edema) in your legs and feet.

Causes of Leaky Heart Valves

Several factors can cause a heart valve to leak. These include:

• Age-related wear and tear.
• Trauma.
• Infections.
• Rheumatic heart disease.
• Heart conditions.

Risks of Leaky Valves

The severity of your risk depends on which valve is leaking, how much it's leaking, and your overall health.

This can lead to several problems:

• Reduced Efficiency: The heart must work harder to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, which can strain the heart muscle over time.
• Heart Enlargement: The heart chambers may enlarge as they try to accommodate the extra blood.
• Heart Failure: If left untreated, a leaky valve can weaken the heart muscle and lead to heart failure, a serious condition where the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
• Arrhythmias: Leaky valves can disrupt the heart's normal rhythm, leading to irregular heartbeats.
• Other Complications: Leaky valves can also increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.

Treatment for a Leaky Heart Valve

Treatment depends on how mild or severe the leaky heart valve is and how much it affects your daily life. Many people with a mild leaking heart valve only need regular checkups, healthy-heart habits and medications to ease strain on the heart.

 If the valve leak becomes more serious, your doctor may recommend a procedure to repair the valve so it can close properly or replace it if the damage is too advanced. The goal is always the same — help your heart pump blood more efficiently so you can breathe easier and keep doing the activities you enjoy.

Symptoms

A leaky valve in the heart can develop slowly, and some people may notice only mild changes at first. Common symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath during activity or when lying down
• Fatigue or reduced stamina
• Swelling in the legs, ankles or feet
• Feeling your heart race, flutter or skip
• Chest discomfort or pressure
• Lightheadedness, especially during exertion

If symptoms begin to interfere with daily activities, it’s important to get evaluated.

When to Seek Medical Attention

You should seek medical attention right away if you experience:

• Sudden shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Fainting or severe lightheadedness
• Rapid swelling in your legs or abdomen
•  A fast, irregular or pounding heartbeat

These symptoms can signal that a leaky heart valve is getting worse or that your heart is working harder than usual. Early care can protect your heart and prevent complications. 

Diagnosis

To understand how well your heart valve is functioning, your provider may use tests such as:

• Echocardiogram: Shows how blood flows through the heart and how severely the valve is leaking
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): Checks heart rhythm for signs of strain
• Chest X-ray: Looks for changes in heart size or fluid buildup
• Stress testing: Measures how the heart performs during activity

These tools help your doctor create a personalized plan for monitoring or treating a leaking heart valve.

Prevention

While not every valve problem can be prevented, simple habits can protect heart function and reduce strain:

• Stay active with low-impact exercise
• Limit salt to help reduce fluid buildup
• Manage blood pressure and cholesterol
• Avoid smoking and limit alcohol
• Keep regular heart checkups
• Treat infections promptly to avoid complications that can damage heart valves

Small steps today can help keep a leaky valve in the heart from worsening over time.

Procedure

If your doctor recommends a procedure, the focus is on restoring healthy valve function. This may include:

• Valve repair: Tightening or reshaping the valve so it closes fully and prevents blood from flowing backward
• Valve replacement: Removing the damaged valve and replacing it with a mechanical or biological valve
• Minimally invasive options: Using smaller incisions or catheter-based techniques to reduce recovery time when appropriate

After the procedure, your care team guides you through recovery, shows you how to protect your heart, and supports you as strength and comfort return.