In most cases patients who have a faulty heart valve that is causing symptoms or strain on the heart will need a valve intervention (either keyhole or surgical) to treat it. In a small number of cases medications can be used to treat the symptoms of heart valve disease such as water tablets (e.g. frusemide or bumetanide), beta blockers, ACE inhibitors e.g. ramipril or digoxin.
Although many trials have taken place to try to develop medications that may halt the progression of heart valve disease, none have proved to be positive or helpful. However, development continues and trials of new medications are ongoing.