Heart valve disease happens when one or more of your heart valves isn’t working as it should. More than 5 million Americans are diagnosed with it every year. Join cardiologist Dr. Paul Murray as he discusses heart valve disease at a free community seminar on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, at the Tift Regional Community Events Center. This event is free and includes a complimentary meal.

The main sign of heart valve disease is an unusual heartbeat sound called a heart murmur. Your doctor can hear a heart murmur with a stethoscope. However, many people have heart murmurs without having heart valve disease or any other heart problems. Others may have heart murmurs due to heart valve disease, but have no other signs or symptoms.

Heart valve disease often worsens over time, so signs and symptoms may occur years after a heart murmur is first heard. Many people who have heart valve disease don't have any symptoms until they're middle-aged or older.

Other common signs and symptoms of heart valve disease relate to heart failure, which heart valve disease can cause. These signs and symptoms include:

-Unusual fatigue (tiredness)

-Shortness of breath, especially when you exert yourself or when you're lying down

-Swelling in your ankles, feet, legs, abdomen, and veins in the neck

Other Signs and Symptoms
Heart valve disease can cause chest pain that may happen only when you exert yourself. You also may notice a fluttering, racing, or irregular heartbeat. Some types of heart valve disease, such as aortic or mitral valve stenosis, can cause dizziness or fainting.

Seating is limited for Dr. Murray's seminar and registration is required. Please register in the Calendar of Events section or call 229-353-6316. The Tift Regional Community Events Center is located in Tifton at 1657 S. Carpenter Road, connected to the Tiftarea YMCA. Dr. Murray is a board-certified invasive cardiologist with Affinity Clinic and the TRMC Heart and Vascular Center.