Physical exam for aortic valve regurgitation

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During the physical exam for aortic valve regurgitation, the doctor will:

Take your blood pressure. With aortic regurgitation, the lower number of your blood pressure reading (diastolic) is usually low. This is due to backflow of blood through the aortic valve when the heart relaxes.
Check your pulse. If you have aortic regurgitation, your doctor may be able to feel a certain kind of throbbing (pulsation) when he or she checks your pulse.
Listen to your heart and lungs for abnormal sounds. A soft whooshing or humming sound (murmur) heard through a stethoscope is an important finding that often indicates heart valve disease. Abnormal sounds in the lungs can indicate fluid buildup in the lungs caused by heart valve disease.
Look at your legs and feet. Swelling in the legs and feet may indicate heart failure from heart valve disease.

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Author	Robin Parks, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Denele Ivins
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
Last Updated	January 24, 2008

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Last updated:	January 24, 2008
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC

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