Guide To The Risk Factors And Causes Of Aortic Stenosis

Aortic stenosis refers to when the aortic valve leaflets do not function as they should because they become too stiff or hard to open completely. For blood to exit the heart and flow through the aorta smoothly, the aortic valve has to maintain the ability to open fully. When blood does not flow smoothly from the heart into the aorta, the heart muscle has to work much harder to pump blood. Symptoms that occur in aortic stenosis include a heart murmur, dizziness upon exertion, fatigue, appetite loss, chest pain, breathlessness upon exertion, heart palpitations, and poor weight gain. Aortic valve stenosis is diagnosed with the use of medical history, physical examination, echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, stress test, CT scans, chest x-ray, cardiac MRI, and cardiac catheterization. The severity of aortic stenosis is what determines how it is treated. Treatment includes medication, valve repair, and or valve replacement.