Exams and Tests

Tests for aortic valve regurgitation can assess how severe the regurgitation is and whether you have any complications, such as abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias) or heart failure.

Aortic valve regurgitation can typically be diagnosed by physical exam. Your doctor will check your blood pressure, pulse, and listen for abnormal sounds in your heart and lungs.

Other tests may include:

• Echocardiogram (echo). Echocardiography (echo) can be used to look at the heart valves and the shape of the leaflets and to see whether the valves are leaking.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG). This test checks for a problem with the rhythm of your heartbeat (arrhythmia).
• Chest X-ray. This test can show if the lower left ventricle is enlarged.
• Exercise electrocardiogram. This test may be done to see how the heart responds to exercise.
• Cardiac catheterization. This test can help your doctor find out how much the aortic valve is leaking and check the health of your coronary arteries.
• Cardiac pool scan. This test measures how well the left ventricle is pumping and how much blood is pumped out of the chamber with each heartbeat.