Aortic Stenosis

What is Aortic Stenosis

Normally, blood passes from the left lower chamber of the heart, called the left ventricle, through the aortic valve into the main artery of the body, the aorta.

If the aortic valve should become stenosed or narrowed, the blood flow through it is reduced and the heart has to work harder to pump blood to the body.

What are the Symptoms of Aortic Stenosis

If the aortic stenosis is mild, tiredness may be the only symptom. If the stenosis is greater, other symptoms may include chest pain and/or breathlessness during exertion, dizziness and fainting.

What are the Causes of Aortic Stenosis

In young people from developed countries the most likely cause of aortic stenosis is a congenital heart abnormality.

In older people it's commonly caused by a build-up of calcium deposits on the valve.

In the past, rheumatic fever was a common cause of aortic stenosis.

Traditional Medical Treatments for Aortic Stenosis

It's important to treat streptococcal infections with antibiotics to reduce the risk of rheumatic fever, which can cause aortic stenosis, from developing.

People with aortic stenosis should receive antibiotics before some invasive investigations (such as bladder cystoscopy), surgery and some dental treatments, to reduce the risk of heart valve infection (endocarditis) occurring.

Mild aortic stenosis is usually treated with medication, such as diuretics.

In more severe cases, a balloon may be inflated in the valve to widen it, called a balloon valvuloplasty.