Learn about Aortic Stenosis at Morgan Heart Hospital

What it is:

Aortic stenosis or aortic valve stenosis is a common problem among people as they get older. In time, as we age, the aortic valve becomes thickened and stenotic, meaning that it doesn't open very well. As the valve fails to open, people develop symptoms such as shortness of breath with activity, perhaps chest pain, or even light-headedness. The only true remedy for aortic stenosis is a valve replacement.  There are several types of aortic valve replacement (Standard, minimally invasive and transcatheter aortic valve replacement).  Your Surgeon and Cardiologist will determine and recommend the best procedure for you. 

How someone develops aortic stenosis:

As the aortic valve becomes thickened and stenotic, the size of the valve opening is reduced.  The left ventricle, which pumps blood out of the heart, has to work harder and suffers from increased pressure. This extra labor causes the ventricle walls to become thicker which may cause chest pain. As the pressure grows in the ventricle with nowhere for the blood to go, some blood may back up into the lungs.   As individuals age calcium deposits collect around the valve, narrowing the opening and causing aortic stenosis. Sometimes people born with a variety of abnormal congenital conditions may also develop aortic stenosis; though it’s more commonly acquired later in life.

What to look for:

The symptoms of aortic stenosis may include:

• Breathlessness with activity
• Chest pain, angina-type
  • Crushing, squeezing, pressure, tightness
  • Pain increases with exercise, is relieved with rest
  • Pain is felt under the chest bone but may move to other areas, most often the left side of the chest
• Fainting, weakness, or dizziness with activity
• Sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of aortic stenosis. For example, call if you or your child has a sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations) for more than a short period of time.
Also contact your doctor immediately if you have been diagnosed with this condition and your symptoms get worse or new symptoms develop.

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of aortic stenosis. For example, call if you or your child has a sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations) for more than a short period of time.

Also contact your doctor immediately if you have been diagnosed with this condition and your symptoms get worse or new symptoms develop.

Confirming signs and validating tests:

When you visit your healthcare provider she/he may order a variety of tests, based upon your symptoms, to confirm your diagnosis.  Tests may be performed in the office and/or may be performed in another healthcare setting ( imaging department, cardiac catheterization lab,etc.).  Tests that may be performed include:

• Chest x-ray
• Doppler echocardiography
• ECG
• Exercise stress testing
• Cardiac catheterization
• Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)

Mild Aortic Stenosis: Monitoring your health with your health care provider is always a good idea even if you do not display any symptoms. If your symptoms are mild, observation may be all that is required. If you’ve been diagnosed with aortic stenosis, your health history should be monitored and you should receive an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) along with your annual physical exam.

Severe Aortic Stenosis: Once patients develop severe aortic stenosis, they will start to develop symptoms of shortness of breath, particularly with exercise, chest discomfort, palpitations, and light-headedness If you have been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis, patients are often referred to a Cardiothoracic surgeon for evaluation of treatment options.

Aortic Stenosis Treatment options:

Aortic stenosis may cause heart failure.  Medications are prescribed to treat symptoms of heart failure.  Commonly prescribed medications include; diuretics (water pills), nitrates, and anti-hypertensive medications.  Medications are prescribed to treat symptoms of heart failure, but do not cure aortic stenosis.

Surgery to repair or replace the valve is the preferred treatment for individuals who have developed moderate to severe symptomatic aortic stenosis.  Prior to recommending surgery, the Cardiothoracic surgeon will evaluate test results and recommend one of the following procedures: Standard aortic valve replacement, minimally invasive aortic valve replacement, transcatheter aortic valve replacement via a transfemoral approach or transcatheter aortic valve replacement via a transaplical approach..

The new transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure, offers a new option for patients that in the past, were deemed non-surgical candidates. TAVR is a revolutionary new option that offers a replacement of this valve without putting high-risk patients through an open procedure

 In those patients who have been diagnosed with aortic stenosis, the next step is to follow up with their primary care physician as well as their cardiologist. Your health care professional will most likely suggest a referral to the Morton Plant Hospital Valve Clinic, at which time patients are thoroughly screened and evaluated to see if they would be a candidate for this new technology.