Aortic Valve Regurgitation

When to Call a Doctor

Call your health professional if you have symptoms of aortic valve regurgitation such as fainting, chest pain, or shortness of breath. For more information, see the Symptoms section of this topic. Your doctor will confirm whether you have valve problems or some other condition.

Acute aortic valve regurgitation comes on suddenly, with severe shortness of breath, a rapid heart rate, and lightheadedness. Acute aortic valve regurgitation is a medical emergency: Call 911 immediately.

Who to See

Health professionals who can diagnose aortic valve regurgitation include:

• Family medicine doctors.
• General practitioners.
• Internists.
• Emergency medicine specialists.

Once you have been diagnosed, you may be referred to a cardiologist, who specializes in heart diseases. The specialist will monitor your condition and help determine when valve replacement is needed.

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Author:	Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: January 24, 2008
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
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