The most common complication in patients with heart valve disease is heart failure. Early symptoms are often dyspnea after exertion, chest tightness, shortness of breath, cough, hemoptysis, inability to lie down and swelling of the lower extremities. Patients with aortic valve lesions may experience chest pain, blackness and syncope. Patients suspected of having heart valve disease should have a cardiac ultrasound to get a definitive diagnosis. An electrocardiogram and x-ray chest radiograph should also be done for combined arrhythmias, pulmonary stasis, or pulmonary edema. Treatment Options Valve replacement surgery or valvuloplasty.