What is Severe Aortic Stenosis?
Severe aortic stenosis is the narrowing of your aortic valve opening that impedes normal
blood flow. The most common cause is age, but birth defects, rheumatic fever and radiation
therapy are other known causes of the condition.
In elderly patients, severe aortic stenosis is sometimes caused by the buildup of calcium, or
mineral deposits, on the aortic valve’s leaflets. Over time the leaflets become stiff, reducing
their ability to completely open and close. When the leaflets can’t fully open, your heart must
work harder to pump blood through the aortic valve to your body.
Over time this condition weakens the heart, increasing your risk of heart failure — a disease
that occurs when your heart cannot supply enough blood to your body.
You may notice symptoms like chest pain, fatigue and shortness of breath, lightheadedness,
fainting, or difficulty when exercising. It is important to remember, however, that heart valve
disease often presents no outward symptoms and may go undetected.
What are risk factors for aortic stenosis?
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Increasing in age
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Smoking
Deformed aortic valve
Rheumatic fever
Radiation therapy to the chest
Family history of aortic stenosis
What are the symptoms of aortic stenosis?
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Chest pain
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Difficulty walking short distances
Lightheadedness walking short distances
Swollen ankles and feet
Rapid heartbeat
Sleep sitting upright instead of lying flat on bed
No longer take part in physical activities you used to enjoy
What happens when someone has aortic stenosis?
Over time, the leaflets of your aortic valve become stiff, reducing their ability to fully open
and close. When the leaflets don’t fully open, your heart must work harder to push blood
through the aortic valve to your body. Eventually, your heart gets weaker, increasing the risk
of heart failure (when your heart cannot supply enough blood your body).