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What Are The Symptoms Of A Bad Aortic Heart Valve?
One of the most common and also the most serious valve disease problems is that of aortic stenosis. This ailment occurs when the aortic valve narrows down. Read on to know more about this ailment, its symptoms, how it is diagnosed and its treatment.
What Is Aortic Stenosis?
When the heart's aortic valve narrows down and prevents the valve from opening completely, it leads to aortic stenosis. This causes blockage and prevents proper blood flow from the heart towards the inside of the main artery and then towards the aorta and finally the rest of the body.
Due to the reduction in the flow of blood, the heart will need to work harder in order to be able to pump blood to the rest of the body. The extra work that the heart does limits the actual amount of blood that can be pumped. This weakens the heart muscles.
The condition can be treated; however, it depends on how severe your condition is. A surgical procedure might be required to repair or replace the valve. If the condition is left untreated, it can lead to serious cardiovascular issues.
What Are The Symptoms Of Aortic Stenosis?
This ailment can range from being mild to severe. When the narrowing of the valve turns severe, the symptoms begin to show. The general signs and symptoms of this ailment include the following:
•
Chest
pain
or
a
feeling
of
tightness
near
the
chest,
especially
when
you
are
involved
in
some
activity.
•
Fainting
or
feeling
dizzy
often.
•
Abnormal
murmuring
heard
from
the
heart
when
examined
using
a
stethoscope.
•
Shortness
of
breath,
especially
after
some
heavy
activity.
•
Not
gaining
the
required
weight
(especially
in
the
case
of
children).
•
Fatigue,
especially
after
a
strenuous
activity.
•
Rapid,
fluttering
heartbeat.
•
Unable
to
eat,
loss
of
appetite.
When the heart turns too weak, it can lead to heart failure - symptoms of which are shortness of breath, swollen ankles and feet and fatigue.
How Is Aortic Stenosis Diagnosed?
A doctor would initially review the signs and symptoms that you mention to understand the severity of the condition. A heart murmur is tried to be heard using a stethoscope. Additional tests such as those listed below might be conducted:
•
ECG
(Electrocardiogram):
Electrodes
in
the
form
of
wires
are
attached
on
your
skin
via
pads.
This
measures
the
electrical
activity
of
your
heart.
This
is
capable
of
detecting
abnormal
heart
rhythms
and
enlarged
chambers
in
the
heart.
•
Echocardiogram:
Sound
waves
are
used
to
attain
video
images
of
the
heart
in
motion.
This
test
is
usually
done
when
your
doctor
suspects
that
you
have
a
heart
valve
condition.
A
transesophageal
echocardiogram
might
be
conducted
to
obtain
a
better
look
at
the
aortic
valve.
•
Cardiac
CT
scan:
A
series
of
X-rays
help
in
obtaining
the
detailed
images
of
the
heart
and
the
heart
valves.
This
test
is
usually
done
to
determine
the
size
of
the
aorta
and
to
look
more
closely
at
the
aortic
valve.
•
Cardiac
MRI:
This
test
uses
radio
waves
and
magnetic
fields
to
create
detailed
images
of
the
heart.
This
test
is
done
to
determine
the
severity
of
the
condition.
What Are The Treatment Options?
The severity of the condition helps a doctor determine the treatment procedure that should be followed. Mild conditions may not require extensive treatment. Frequent follow-ups for routine check-ups along with a healthy lifestyle and prescribed medicines should be enough to treat the condition effectively.
A surgical procedure might be required in case of severe conditions which would include repairing or replacing the diseased aortic valve. An incision on the chest is done to repair or replace the aortic valve.
The following surgical options are available:
•
Balloon
valvuloplasty:
This
procedure
involves
the
use
of
a
catheter
to
repair
the
valve.
The
catheter
inserted
has
a
balloon
on
the
tip.
This
is
inserted
into
an
artery
in
the
arm
that
guides
to
the
affected
valve.
The
balloon
is
then
inflated,
which
allows
the
opening
of
the
valve
to
expand.
After
this,
the
balloon
is
deflated
and
the
catheter
removed.
•
Aortic
valve
repair:
Most
of
the
time,
aortic
stenosis
would
require
a
replacement
and
not
many
doctors
suggest
a
repair
of
the
valve.
However,
if
repair
is
the
chosen
method
of
surgery,
then
surgeons
would
do
so
by
separating
the
valve
flaps
that
have
fused.
•
Aortic
valve
replacement:
This
is
the
most
opted
surgical
procedure
for
this
condition.
The
damaged
valve
is
removed
and
replaced
with
either
a
mechanical
valve
or
a
biological
valve
(human
heart
tissue).
However,
biological
valves
are
likely
to
degenerate
over
time
and
might
need
to
be
replaced
again.
Is Aortic Stenosis Life-threatening?
Aortic stenosis in its severe form can become life-threatening. At times, a patient with this condition might continue to live for several years without showing any symptoms. However, symptoms might appear drastically all of a sudden which might require immediate and emergency-based medical attention.
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