Patients with native valve disease usually have years without symptoms before the onset of deterioration. An echocardiogram is not recommended yearly unless there is a change in clinical status.
Sources:
American College of Cardiology Foundation Appropriate Use Criteria Task Force, et al. ACCF/ASE/AHA/ASNC/HFSA/HRS/SCAI/SCCM/SCCT/SCMR 2011 Appropriate Use Criteria for Echocardiography. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2011 Mar 1;57(9):1126-66. PMID: 21349406.
Cardiac Care Network. Standards for provision of echocardiography in Ontario [Internet]. 2012 [cited 2014 Feb 19].
Related Resources:
Patient Pamphlet: Echocardiogram Before Surgery: When you need it and when you don’t