What are the disadvantages of having valvular heart disease?

Cardiac dysfunction: Symptoms of shortness of breath, palpitation, syncope, swelling of legs, chest pain may occur depending upon the degree of the disease.

Complicated: This depends on the valve involved, the cause of the diseased valve and the degree to which it affects function. Damaged valves also creates the risk of secondary valve infection (infective endocarditis), which can be life-threatening, need long courses of antibiotics or require valve replacement. Restrictions depend on disease severity. This should be discussed with cardiologist.