Hidden heart condition that 'can be worse than cancer' with almost 'no symptoms' - but can be found by simple check

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Medics are warning about a hidden heart problem that can be worse than cancer if it's not treated in time. Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of your heart valves don’t work like they should, the British Heart Foundation says.

These problems can put extra strain on your heart, meaning it has to work harder. And over time, it can increase your risk of having a heart attack, a stroke or other heart conditions.

But often, the disease can go undetected as simple checks are not carried out as routinely as they should be, heart clinician Dr Mamta Buch warns.

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If the valve doesn’t open fully, it will block or restrict the flow of blood. This is called valve stenosis or valve narrowing, says the British Heart Foundation.

If the valve doesn’t close fully, the blood will leak back into the heart instead of forwards into the body. This is called valve incompetence, valve regurgitation or a leaky valve.

The heart has to push harder to do its job, putting extra strain on the organ. This can cause people suffering with the illness to have symptoms like feeling more tired and out of breath.

“Heart valve disease is increasingly common as the population gets older," Dr Mamta Buch, a consultant interventional cardiologist at Wythenshawe Hospital, tells the Manchester Evening News . "It’s a condition which, if not detected, can cause significant health effects and quality of life problems.

“If you’re already having symptoms, that can look like a change in exercise capacity, breathlessness, chest discomfort, extreme fatigue. Those aren’t just part and parcel of getting older - don’t dismiss them if there’s clearly been a change,