Any heart valve problem can negatively affect the heart and its ability to function properly. The presence of a heart murmur can first identify most heart valve problems. A heart murmur is a sound that can be identified by listing to a heartbeat with a stethoscope. While some murmurs are harmless, others can indicate an underlying heart valve problem. Age-related valve diseases such as degenerative valve disease and calcification due to aging can negatively affect the heart and its functions.