Is there anyway, from home, that I could rule out a bad heart valve as the cause for my heart palpitations and arythmia?
NO THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL IF YOU HAVE VAVLE TROUBLE ONLY SPECIAL TESTS LIKE A ECHOEKG OR A CATH
As a physician, I strongly recommend you to visit a ER (Emergency Room if you were from UK) and explain the doctor what is going on. I also would recommended ACE inhibitors, since they prevent cardiac muscle remodelling. I can think in several other things, but I need PE and a new echo-cardiogram to make a decision (indeed a ER doctor must make those decision)
if from HOME, there is no way, not unless you are experiencing already ankle edema and dyspnea or shortness of breath, however, these signs and symptoms are for massive valvular damage already. If you really wana rule out bad heart valve, consult a doctor as early as you can. Because bad heart valves can lead you to grave compications such as left and right sided heart failure. Heart palpitations and arrythmia may not be due to bad valves, however they do exist in lates stages of valvular damage, specifically atrial fibrillation in severe mitral valve disease. Better consult a doctor! Upon cnsulatation, the doctor will ask you lots of questions on previous infections particularly sore throat or tonsillopharyngitis because it is the most common cause of valve damage. Valve damage can either be congenital or autoimmune.
