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Heart valve disease and structural heart disease are closely related terms, and they’re often used together in cardiology discussions. While these conditions share similarities, they are not identical. Understanding the difference can help patients better understand their diagnosis and treatment options.

Below, we’re looking at heart valve disease vs. structural heart disease, key differences between the two, and how each is diagnosed.

What Is Structural Heart Disease?

Structural heart disease is a broad term that refers to problems with the heart’s structure, including its valves, walls, chambers, or major vessels. These conditions may be present at birth (congenital) or develop over time because of aging, infection, or other health issues.

Common types of structural heart disease include:

• Heart valve disorders
• Congenital heart defects (such as atrial septal defects)
• Enlarged or weakened heart chambers
• Abnormal openings or connections within the heart

Because structural heart disease encompasses multiple conditions, symptoms can vary widely. Some people may experience:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Chest discomfort
• Swelling in the legs or abdomen
• Irregular heartbeat

It’s important to note that in some cases, structural heart disease may present with few or no symptoms in its early stages.

What Is Heart Valve Disease?

Heart valve disease is a specific type of structural heart disease that affects one or more of the heart’s four valves:

• Aortic valve
• Mitral valve
• Tricuspid valve
• Pulmonary valve

These valves help keep blood flowing in the correct direction through the heart. When a valve is damaged or doesn’t function properly, it can disrupt normal blood flow.

The two main types of valve problems are:

• Stenosis: The valve becomes stiff or narrowed, restricting blood flow.
• Regurgitation (or insufficiency): The valve does not close properly, allowing blood to leak backward.

Common examples of heart valve disease include:

• Aortic stenosis
• Mitral regurgitation
• Mitral valve prolapse

Symptoms of valve disease often overlap with other heart conditions and may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Dizziness or fainting
• Heart palpitations
• Swelling in the ankles or feet

Structural vs. Valvular Heart Disease: Key Differences

While the terms are related, the main difference is scope.

Structural heart disease is the broader category that includes any abnormality in the heart’s structure.

Heart valve disease is one specific type of structural heart disease that affects the valves.

In other words, all heart valve disease is structural heart disease, but not all structural heart disease involves the valves.

How Are These Heart Conditions Diagnosed?

Doctors use several tools to diagnose structural and valve-related heart conditions, including:

• Physical exams and medical history
• Echocardiograms (heart ultrasounds)
• CT or MRI scans
• Cardiac catheterization when needed

These tests help specialists understand the exact problem and determine the most appropriate treatment plan.

Treatments for Structural and Valvular Heart Disease

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the condition. Some patients may simply need regular monitoring and medications. Others may benefit from advanced procedures, including minimally invasive, catheter-based treatments that repair or replace parts of the heart without open-heart surgery.

Early evaluation is important, especially if you’re experiencing symptoms or have been told you have a heart murmur or valve problem.

Need to know more? Give our cardiologists, who are board-certified in New Jersey, a call today. A structural heart specialist can help determine the exact cause of your symptoms.

A diagnosis of structural heart disease can feel frightening and overwhelming at first. Whether the condition involves a heart valve, a septal defect, or another structural issue, many patients worry about how it will affect their daily lives.

The good news is that with modern treatments and regular follow-up care, many people with structural heart disease can live active, fulfilling lives. Ongoing care plays a key role in protecting your heart and preventing complications over time, so today, we’re looking at what structural heart disease is and why ongoing care matters.

What Is Structural Heart Disease?

Structural heart disease refers to abnormalities in the heart’s valves, walls, chambers, or major vessels. Some people are born with these conditions, while others develop them later due to aging, infection, or underlying medical issues.

Common examples include:

• Aortic stenosis
• Mitral regurgitation
• Atrial septal defects (ASDs)
• Ventricular septal defects (VSDs)
• Other congenital or acquired structural abnormalities

Depending on the condition and its severity, symptoms may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Swelling in the legs or abdomen
• Chest discomfort
• Irregular heartbeat

In many cases, structural heart disease progresses gradually, which is why regular monitoring is essential.

Why Ongoing Care Matters

Even if your symptoms are mild (or you’ve already had a procedure), structural heart disease usually requires long-term management.

Regular checkups allow your cardiology team to:

• Monitor changes in heart function
• Detect worsening valve or structural problems
• Adjust medications when needed
• Identify complications early
• Determine the right timing for procedures

Early intervention often leads to better outcomes. Waiting too long to treat certain structural issues can increase the risk of heart failure, rhythm problems, or other complications.

What Ongoing Care Typically Includes

Your follow-up care plan will depend on your specific condition, but it often involves a combination of the following:

• Regular Cardiology Visits: Your doctor will review your symptoms, check your heart sounds, and assess your overall health.
• Imaging Tests: Echocardiograms are commonly used to monitor valve function and heart structure over time. Other imaging, such as CT or MRI, may be recommended in certain cases.
• Medication Management: Some patients benefit from medications that help control blood pressure, regulate heart rhythm, or reduce cardiac strain.
• Lifestyle Guidance:
  • Heart-healthy eating habits
  • Regular, appropriate physical activity
  • Weight management
  • Smoking cessation, if applicable
  • Stress reduction strategies

These steps help support overall cardiovascular health and reduce the workload on the heart.

Life After a Structural Heart Procedure

If you’ve had a minimally invasive procedure or surgery, follow-up care is essential.

Regular monitoring ensures that:

• The repair or replacement is functioning properly
• No new issues have developed
• Your heart is adapting well to the treatment

Many patients experience significant symptom relief and improved quality of life after treatment, but continued follow-up care helps maintain these outcomes.

Partnering With Your Cardiology Team

Living with structural heart disease is not something you have to do alone. Your cardiology team is here to guide you, answer questions, and adjust your care plan as your needs change.

By staying consistent with follow-up visits and recommended tests, you’re giving your heart the best chance to stay strong and healthy for years to come.

Protecting Your Long-Term Heart Health

Regular checkups allow your care team to catch small changes before they become serious problems. This proactive approach helps preserve heart function, prevent complications, and ensure that any necessary treatments happen at the right time.

Regular monitoring by a cardiology team helps protect your long-term heart health. Schedule routine evaluations to stay ahead of potential issues and keep your treatment plan on track. If you’d like to book a consultation, contact our office today at Our cardiologists in New Jersey. We’re here to keep you as healthy as possible.

Medical technology continues to improve with each passing day. Procedures and tests that were needed to discover medical problems have been replaced with more intricate nuclear imaging tests which can not only determine the diagnosis, but whether certain surgeries are needed at all. PET scans of the heart have become an invaluable tool for doctors, so here are 5 heart PET scan FAQs and answers should you need one.

What Exactly Is a Heart PET Scan?

PET stands for heart positron emission tomography. It is used to evaluate and diagnose heart conditions and any areas of concern. Radiologists use a dye with radioactive tracers known as radionuclides, which are injected into the body, and then the patient will lie down as they enter the PET imaging machine. This computer produces a series of images that allow cardiologists to view a 3D map of the heart and surrounding tissues.

This test is usually performed as an outpatient procedure.

Why Would I Need a PET Scan?

Initially, a PET scan of the heart may also be ordered if you are having chest pains or tightness in your chest, shortness of breath, arrhythmia, or weakness and sweating.

Cardiologists may want to screen for any cardiovascular disease, especially if you have risk factors like a family history of either heart disease or high cholesterol. In addition, they may want to check on the success of any earlier treatments or to find out if you have coronary artery disease.

With a PET scan, physicians can continue to monitor any damaged tissue after a heart procedure and decide on the best treatments moving forward.

What Are the Benefits of a Heart PET Scan?

A heart PET scan will give Jersey Cardiology Associates an accurate measurement of the blood flow from your arteries to your heart. It can then be determined whether you have CAD or any other tissue damage after an earlier heart attack.

It can also effectively provide the information to decide if an angioplasty is needed to open clogged arteries or if bypass surgery is necessary.

Are There Any Risks Associated With a PET Scan?

Since the amount of radiation used is so small, this test is usually safe for the majority of patients. Make sure to tell cardiologists if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and another type of test will be substituted.

How Do I Prepare for a Heart PET Test?

You may need to avoid certain foods and beverages prior to the test, such as caffeine or alcohol in the 24 hours beforehand. Do not eat 4 – 6 hours before the test, and only drink water. Be sure cardiologists is aware of all medications and supplements that you are currently taking.

If you have diabetes, then you may receive slightly different instructions on how to prepare for your heart PET scan.

Do not wear jewelry or other metal objects. Come to our cardiologists dressed in comfortable loose clothing, and drink lots of water afterward to flush out the radioactive tracer.

Share all of your symptoms with the board-certified cardiologists and prepare any additional questions if you are having a heart PET scan.