Aortic valve disease - symptoms and causes (2023)

Review

Aortic valve disease is a type of heart valve disease. In aortic valve disease, the valve between the lower left heart chamber (left ventricle) and the main artery in the body (aorta) does not work properly.

The aortic valve helps blood flow in the right direction through the heart. A damaged or diseased aortic valve can affect blood flow to the rest of the heart and body.

Aortic valve disease includes:

• Aortic valve stenosis.The leaflets (nodules) of the aortic valve become thick and rigid or fuse together. These problems cause narrowing of the valve opening. A narrowed valve reduces or blocks the flow of blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
• Aortic valve regurgitation.The aortic valve does not close properly, causing blood to flow backwards into the heart's left lower chamber (ventricle).

Aortic valve disease can be present at birth (congenital heart disease) or it can appear later in life due to other medical conditions.

Treatment of aortic valve disease depends on the type and severity of the disease. Some people may need surgery to repair or replace their aortic valve.

Symptoms

Some people with aortic valve disease may not notice symptoms for years. Signs and symptoms of aortic valve disease may include:

• Heart murmur or murmur (heart murmur)
• Chest pain or tightness
• Dizziness
• Unconsciousness
• Fatigue after activity or reduced capacity for activity
• Irregular heartbeat
• Shortness of breath, especially during vigorous activity or when lying down
• Insufficient nutrition (mainly in children with aortic valve stenosis)
• Not gaining enough weight (mainly in children with aortic valve stenosis)

When to see a doctor

If you experience sudden chest pain, seek immediate medical attention.

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of valve disease, such as shortness of breath, tiredness after activity, or a pounding or irregular heartbeat. Sometimes the first signs of aortic valve disease are related to heart failure. Contact your doctor if you have fatigue that does not go away after rest, shortness of breath, and swollen ankles and feet, which are common symptoms of heart failure.

Causes

Aortic valve disease can be caused by a heart defect at birth (congenital heart defect). Other causes of aortic valve disease later in life include:

• Age-related heart changes
• Infections
• High blood pressure
• Heart injury

To better understand the causes of aortic valve disease, it may be helpful to know how heart valves normally work.

The heart has four valves that keep blood flowing in the right direction. These valves are:

• Aortal zalistak
• Mitral valve
• Tricuspid sinuses
• Pulmonary valve

Each valve has leaflets (cusps or leaflets) that open and close once during each heartbeat. Sometimes the valve does not open or close properly. This can reduce or block blood flow through the heart to the rest of the body.

In aortic valve disease, the valve between the lower left heart chamber (left ventricle) and the body's main artery (aorta) does not work properly. The valve may be thickened and stiff (stenosis) or may not close properly, causing blood to flow backwards.

Risk factors

Many things can increase the risk of aortic valve disease, including:

• Older age.Calcium deposits can build up on the aortic valve as people age, causing the aortic valve to stiffen and narrow.
• Problems with heart valves present at birth (congenital heart defects).Some people are born with a missing, extra, or fused valve (a lump), which increases the risk of aortic valve regurgitation.
• Rheumatic fever.This complication of strep throat can cause aortic stenosis, a type of valve disease. If you have heart valve disease due to rheumatic fever, it is called rheumatic heart disease. If not, it is called non-rheumatic heart disease.
• Inflammation of the lining of the heart chambers and valves (endocarditis).This life-threatening condition is usually caused by an infection. It can damage the aortic valve.
• History of chest radiation therapy.Some types of cancer are treated with radiation therapy. Symptoms of heart valve disease may not be noticed until many years after receiving radiation therapy.
• Other health conditions.Chronic kidney disease, lupus, and Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disease, can increase the risk of aortic stenosis or regurgitation.

Complications

Potential complications of aortic valve disease may include:

• Blood clots
• Stroke
• Cardiac arrest
• Heart rhythm problems (cardiac arrhythmias)
• Death due to sudden cardiac arrest

Proper diagnosis and treatment can help reduce the risk of complications.

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