Heart valve disease

Heart valve disease is often characterized by a prolonged asymptomatic period that lasts for years and presents primary care physicians with an opportunity to detect disease before irreversible heart failure or other cardiac complications develop. Acute valvular disease can masquerade as respiratory illness or present with nonspecific systemic symptoms, and an astute examination by a primary care physician can direct appropriate care. Therefore, an understanding of the common pathologies and presentations of valvular heart disease is critical. This review focuses on the 2 most common valve lesions, aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation, and provides an overview of other valve disease topics.