Aortic Valve Disease – Symptoms and Causes
Understanding Aortic Valve Disease
Aortic valve disease affects the valve connecting the heart’s lower left chamber to the body’s main artery. This important valve ensures blood flows properly through the heart. When damaged, it can disrupt normal blood flow to the body.
The condition may involve a narrowed valve opening (stenosis) or a valve that doesn’t close completely (regurgitation), each leading to disrupted blood flow and increased strain on the heart.
Some people are born with aortic valve problems as congenital heart defects. Others develop valve disease later due to health conditions or aging.
The severity of symptoms helps determine treatment needs. Some patients with mild cases may only need monitoring. Those with more serious valve damage often require surgery to repair or replace the faulty valve.
Types of Aortic Valve Issues
Aortic valve problems come in two main forms:
-
Aortic Valve Stenosis:
- Valve flaps (cusps) become stiff or thick
- Flaps may fuse together
- Creates a narrowed valve opening
- Reduces or blocks blood flow from the heart to body
-
Aortic Valve Regurgitation:
- The valve doesn’t close completely
- Allows blood to leak backward into the left heart chamber
- This creates inefficient heart function
These conditions can develop gradually over time or occur suddenly, depending on the underlying cause. Each type affects heart function differently and may require specific treatments.
Signs and Symptoms
People with aortic valve problems may not feel anything wrong for many years. When symptoms do appear, they can include:
- Chest pain or a tight feeling in the chest
- Dizziness
- Fainting spells
- Feeling tired after activities or having less energy for physical tasks
- Irregular heartbeat
- Trouble breathing, especially during exercise or when lying down
In children with aortic valve stenosis, poor eating habits and slow weight gain may be signs of a problem.
When Medical Help Is Needed
Call 911 right away if you experience sudden chest pain.
Schedule a doctor’s appointment if you notice symptoms like shortness of breath, feeling tired after activity, or sensations of a pounding or irregular heartbeat.
Sometimes, aortic valve disease first shows up as heart failure. See your doctor if you have ongoing fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest, difficulty breathing, or swollen ankles and feet, as these are common signs of heart failure.
Causes
Aortic valve disease can stem from a birth defect in the heart, known as a congenital heart defect. However, several factors can lead to this condition later in life.
Common causes include:
- Natural aging of the heart
- Heart infections
- High blood pressure
- Heart injuries
How heart valves normally function
The heart contains four valves that ensure blood flows in the right direction:
| Valve | Location |
|---|---|
| Aortic valve | Between left ventricle and aorta |
| Mitral valve | Between left atrium and left ventricle |
| Tricuspid valve | Between right atrium and right ventricle |
| Pulmonary valve | Between right ventricle and pulmonary artery |
Each valve has flaps (also called cusps or leaflets) that open and close once during each heartbeat cycle.
In aortic valve disease, the valve connecting the left ventricle (lower left heart chamber) to the aorta (the body’s main artery) functions improperly. This malfunction typically happens in two ways:
- The valve becomes thickened and stiff.
- The valve fails to close properly.
These problems prevent normal blood flow through the heart and can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
Risk Factors
Several factors can increase your chance of developing aortic valve disease:
- Age-Related Changes: As people get older, calcium deposits can build up on valve tissue. This makes the valve stiff and narrow over time.
- Birth Defects: Some people are born with valve problems, like missing, extra, or fused valve flaps. These abnormalities raise the risk of blood flowing backward through the valve.
-
Previous Infections:
- Rheumatic fever (a complication of untreated strep throat) can damage heart valves.
- Endocarditis (infection of the heart’s inner lining) can harm valve tissue.
- Medical Treatments: Radiation therapy to the chest for cancer treatment may damage heart valves. Symptoms might appear years after treatment ends.
- Health conditions that increase risk:
| Condition | How it affects the valve |
|---|---|
| Chronic kidney disease | Can accelerate calcium buildup |
| Lupus | May cause inflammation of valve tissue |
| Marfan syndrome | Affects connective tissue supporting the valve |
Heart valve problems can develop slowly over many years.
Complications
Aortic valve disease can lead to several serious health issues if not properly managed. Patients may experience blood clots and stroke.
They may also experience heart failure and arrhythmias (heart rhythm problems), as well as sudden cardiac arrest, which can be fatal.
Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment by healthcare providers can significantly lower the risk of these complications. For patients with known valve issues, regular monitoring is essential.
