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From other websitesContent disclaimerContent on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. What is aortic valve stenosis?Aortic stenosis is one of the most common and serious valve disease problems. Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve opening. Aortic stenosis restricts the blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta and may also affect the pressure in the left atrium. Although some people have aortic stenosis because of a congenital heart defect called a bicuspid aortic valve, this condition more commonly develops during aging as calcium or scarring damages the valve and restricts the amount of blood flowing through.  Download our aortic stenosis fact sheet (PDF) Does aortic stenosis always produce symptoms?No. Many people with aortic stenosis, or AS, don't experience noticeable symptoms until the amount of restricted blood flow becomes greatly reduced. Symptoms of aortic stenosis may include:
It may be important to note the person suffering from AS may not complain of symptoms. However, if you or your family members notice a decline in routine physical activities or significant fatigue, it’s worth a visit to your health care provider to check for reduced heart function. Use our AS symptom tracker (PDF) to record your symptoms and frequency, and bring it to your next appointment to review with your doctor. Infants and children who have aortic stenosis due to a congenital defect may exhibit symptoms such as:
Watch this short video about AS symptoms. Watch an animation of aortic valve stenosis. How does aortic stenosis progress or cause increasing problems?In addition to the symptoms of aortic stenosis, which may cause a patient to feel faint, weak, or lethargic, the wall of the left ventricle also may show muscular thickening because the ventricle must work harder to pump blood through the narrow valve opening into the aorta. The thickened wall takes up more space inside the lower heart chamber that allows less room for an adequate amount of blood to be supplied to the body. This may lead to heart failure. Appropriate treatment can help reverse or slow down the progress of this disease. Who's at risk for aortic stenosis?Aging peopleAortic stenosis mainly affects older people as a result of scarring and calcium buildup in the valve cusp (flap or fold). Age-related AS usually begins after age 60, but often doesn’t show symptoms until ages 70 or 80. AS in the youngThe most common cause of aortic stenosis in young people is a birth defect where only two cusps grow instead of the normal three. This is called a “bicuspid aortic valve.” Another cause may be that the valve opening doesn't grow along with the heart. This makes the heart work harder to pump blood to the restricted opening. Over the years the defective valve often becomes stiff and narrow because of calcium build-up. What treatments are advisable for people with aortic stenosis?If there are no symptoms or if symptoms are mild, the best course of action could be regular follow up and monitoring to see if any symptoms develop or worsen. However, anyone with aortic stenosis should be checked with an echocardiogram to determine treatment options. Possible treatments may include medications, valve repair or valve replacement. It’s important to discuss options with your health care team to ensure you receive the most effective treatment possible. Additional resources:
What is the main cause of aortic stenosis?Aortic stenosis is most commonly caused by calcium buildup on the aortic valve over time. These calcium deposits that often come with age make the valve tissue stiff, narrow, and unyielding.
What is the best way to treat aortic stenosis?Aortic valve replacement.
Aortic valve replacement is often needed to treat aortic valve stenosis. In aortic valve replacement, the surgeon removes the damaged valve and replaces it with a mechanical valve or a valve made from cow, pig or human heart tissue (biological tissue valve).
How long can you live with aorta stenosis?1 Aortic stenosis is the most common clinically relevant consequence of BAV and usually presents between 50 and 70 years of age. 2 If left untreated, severe aortic valve stenosis is associated with an annual mortality of 25% and the mean duration of survival after diagnosis is 2–3 years.
What happens when you have aortic stenosis?Aortic valve stenosis causes a thickening and narrowing of the valve between the heart's main pumping chamber (left ventricle) and the body's main artery (aorta). The narrowing creates a smaller opening for blood to pass through. Blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body is reduced or blocked.
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What is aortic stenosis and how is it treated
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