Warning Signs Of Aortic Stenosis

Aortic stenosis is a condition where the aortic valve becomes functionally impaired due to the valve leaflets becoming too stiff or inflexible. The aortic valve alternates between closing when blood pumps from the left atrium to the left ventricle and opening when blood is pumped from the left ventricle into the aorta. The valve leaflets are thin and flexible to allow them to open fully and allow blood to flow from the heart. The valve leaflets become stiff due to an accumulation of scar tissue or calcium on the leaflet tissue in the heart. Rheumatic fever is a type of illness that can cause scarring of the aortic valve flaps. Anyone born with an abnormal number of aortic valve flaps may also develop aortic stenosis. Medical history, physical exam, echocardiogram, stress test, electrocardiogram, and cardiac catheterization are used to diagnose aortic stenosis.