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Aortic Valve Stenosis

DEFINITION

Aortic stenosis is the medical term used to describe the tightening or narrowing of the aortic valve in the heart. This narrowing of the aortic valve decreases forward flow of blood in the heart. The aortic valve sits at the outlet of the left side of the heart (the left ventricle) and controls the flow of blood out of the heart and to the body. All of the four valves of the heart are designed to work like one-way valves to control the forward flow of blood. Sometimes, a person won’t have any symptoms from aortic stenosis. If a person has symptoms, they generally include fatigue, dizziness, and passing out unexpectedly. If you are having symptoms of aortic stenosis, generally the valve needs to be surgically replaced. Aortic stenosis can be caused by congenital heart defects (abnormal heart conditions present since birth), normal calcium buildup of the valve over time, rheumatic fever (which comes from strep throat that infects the heart valves), or other causes. Over time, the heart has to pump harder to get enough blood to the body which can lead to weakening of the heart including a condition called congestive heart failure. Having aortic stenosis, or any other valve abnormality in the heart can make you more likely to having an infection like endocarditis.

SYMPTOMS
Passing out, chest pain, fatigue, dizziness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, swelling of the feet and ankles

DIAGNOSIS
Passing out, chest pain, fatigue, dizziness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, swelling of the feet and ankles

TREATMENT
Your doctor will recommend treatment for your aortic stenosis based on how severe your aortic stenosis is. Treatment can range from waiting and observing your condition over time to replacing the valve. If your aortic stenosis does not cause any symptoms and is not very severe, your doctor will continue to monitor you over time. No medications can treat aortic stenosis, but your doctor may recommend certain medications to control symptoms caused by your aortic stenosis like pills to control abnormal heart rhythms caused by changes in the heart due to aortic stenosis. Your doctor may recommend a cholesterol-lowering medication to help slow the stiffening of the aortic valve. You may also need antibiotics if you are having a dental procedure done in order to prevent infections of the heart valve called endocarditis. If your aortic stenosis is severe or causes symptoms, your doctor or cardiologist may recommend an intervention. Your cardiologist may recommend balloon valvuloplasty which involves using a catheter to pass a small balloon through the aortic valve which is then inflated to widen the aortic valve, though this procedure is often not successful for the long run. Aortic valve replacement surgery is done by a cardiothoracic surgeon. Surgery can be done by either repairing the leaky valve or replacing it. Replacement valves can be made from metal or made from tissue. With some types of replacement valves, you will need to take a blood-thinning medication for the rest of your life. After aortic valve replacement, most people can return to a normal life.

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