Options For Treating Aortic Stenosis

Aortic stenosis is a condition where the aortic valve in the heart becomes too narrow, resulting in its functional impairment. Oxygenated blood returns from the lungs and flows into the left atrium, where the mitral valve allows it into the left ventricle. The blood moves from the left ventricle through the aortic valve into the aorta, and from there, oxygenated blood is distributed to tissues around the body. When this valve cannot open enough due to narrowing, the flow of blood to the rest of the body is reduced or obstructed. This malfunction causes the heart to work excessively hard to pump enough blood throughout the body. Over time, this burden on the heart results in a reduced ability to pump an adequate blood volume. This causes symptoms such as heart murmur, fainting, fatigue, appetite loss, weight loss, angina, breathlessness, and palpitations.

Aortic stenosis treatment depends on the severity, progression rate, and symptoms produced. with this in mind, learn about some of the popular options now.

Eat A Heart-Healthy Diet

Some individuals affected by mild aortic stenosis may be advised by their physician to make certain lifestyle changes like eating a heart-healthy diet as part of their treatment. Obesity and being overweight even for healthy individuals can increase the burden on their heart, which is why a heart-healthy diet, typically consisting of lots of whole grains, to maintain a healthy body weight is crucial. Foods with whole grains include oatmeal, brown rice, and rye bread. Individuals with aortic stenosis should aim to eat twenty-five grams of whole grains daily. Protein in the diet should come from sources such as black beans, pintos, soybeans, garbanzos, split peas, nuts, eggs, milk, yogurt, cheese, and certain types of fish and shellfish.

Consumption of red meat should be limited because it can cause an increase in bad cholesterol and contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. It is better to choose chicken and turkey over red meat as they contain much less saturated fat. Processed meat like bacon, hot dogs, sausages, and deli meats should be avoided, as they contain too much salt to keep an affected individual's blood pressure at a reasonable level.

Uncover more treatments for aortic stenosis now.