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Aortic stenosis: causes, symptoms and treatment

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

The World Health Organization states that one of the three leading causes of death globally is cardiovascular accidents. This position has been maintained for several decades, and, therefore, it is essential to get information about the health of the heart, as well as the different conditions that can harm it and even lead to a heart attack or other compromising situations. One of these conditions is what is known as aortic valve stenosis.

In this article at FastlyHealwe, explain in a complete and accessible way what aortic stenosis is: causes, symptoms, and treatment.

What is aortic stenosis?

The term stenosis is used to refer to the condition in which a duct is narrowed or obstructed, preventing the proper functioning of the system of which it is a part and causing symptoms that can be both low intensity and impact, as well as those that can lead to the person to high-risk situations, which must be treated immediately. Such risk or level of complication generally depends on the severity of the stenosis, whether it is partial (narrow) or if it is a complete constriction or close to becoming an obstruction.

So, when mentioning aortic stenosis, we refer to a valve disease where Blood flow space is reduced through the aortic valve, which regulates the passage of blood to the aorta artery, which sends this vital fluid from the left ventricle of the heart (abbreviated VI) towards the organism, preventing at the same time that the Blood sent there does not return to the heart during diastole.

This condition produces hypertrophy (thickening) and an overstrain in said ventricle to pump through the aorta. In turn, demanding more excellent irrigation from the heart for the LV, thus compromising the performance and well-being of the organ.

The most common tests to confirm or rule out aortic valve stenosis are:

  • Electrocardiogram.
  • Magnetic resonance.
  • Stress test.
  • Cardiac catheterization.

Causes of aortic stenosis

Three leading causes of this pathology are distinguished, with more than one of them being able to appear and influencing the appearance of the others:

  1. Calcification of the valve: the leading cause of aortic stenosis in the elderly is the accumulation of calcium in the area, which first thickens the valve and gradually leads to its obstruction. Factors that increase the risk of calcification include smoking, diabetes, chronic low-grade inflammation, and high LDL levels (bad cholesterol).
  2. Congenital and hereditary heart disease: mainly the bicuspid aortic valve, which is characterized by only two (2) leaflets instead of three.
  3. Rheumatic fever: An inflammatory disease in response to antigens from streptococcus bacteria, which usually attack the heart. However, aortic stenosis is a long-term risk factor: if it is not cured correctly, valve stenosis will appear five years after the fever has occurred.

Aortic stenosis: symptoms

If this condition is not addressed, both valve narrowing and left ventricular hardening can worsen. Stenosis can start being asymptomatic, but as it worsens, it will warn of its existence through a variety of symptoms, listed below according to the percentage of appearance in diagnosed patients:

  • Chest pain, especially when straining the heart during impact physical exercise. This pain is caused by overworking the LV to pump and the heart to irrigate the ventricle, which needs more blood.
  • Fainting, vertigo, and a drop in blood pressure, initially during physical exercise, can worsen during everyday activities.
  • Rapid fatigue or breathing difficulties when exercising.
  • Cardiac arrhythmias.
  • Hemoptysis (coughing up blood).
  • Cardiac dysfunction.

As we mentioned previously, aortic stenosis can also be congenital and can occur even in the first months of life. In these cases, the following symptoms predominate :

  • Rapid fatigue.
  • Growth problems.
  • Chest pain.
  • Respiratory problems.
  • Difficulty gaining weight.

Aortic stenosis: drug treatment and care

To reduce and eliminate aortic stenosis when it is still in mild severity, it focuses on the elimination of smoking if it exists, taking care of diet and harmful cholesterol levels, a matter on which research has been updated that shows that the reduction of Egg yolk consumption has no impact on these levels, but chronic inflammation and stress.

As the disease worsens, medications will be needed to combat this disease, such as diuretics, beta-blockers, and nitrates.

The definitive solution is valve replacement surgery, especially if there is a medium, severe, congenital or irreversible stenosis.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Aortic stenosis: causes, symptoms and treatment , we recommend that you enter our category of Blood, heart and circulation .

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