Aortic Valve Regurgitation – Symptoms and Causes
What Is Aortic Valve Regurgitation?
Aortic valve regurgitation happens when the valve between the heart’s left ventricle and the aorta fails to close properly. This allows blood to flow backward into the heart after being pumped out.
The heart must work harder to pump enough blood to the body when this backward leakage occurs. People with this condition often feel tired and have trouble breathing.
This heart valve problem can develop in two ways:
- Suddenly (Acute Regurgitation)
- Gradually (Chronic Regurgitation)
When aortic valve regurgitation becomes severe, the heart may not function well enough to meet the body’s needs. At this stage, doctors typically recommend surgery to fix or replace the damaged valve.
Signs and Symptoms
People with aortic valve regurgitation often have no symptoms for many years. The condition usually develops slowly over time. In some cases, it can happen suddenly, typically due to a valve infection.
As the condition gets worse, you might notice:
- Breathing problems, especially during exercise or when lying down
- Feeling tired and weak, particularly after being active
- Irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness or fainting
- Chest pain or tightness that worsens with physical activity
- Heart palpitations (feeling like your heart is racing or fluttering)
- Swelling in the ankles and feet
When To Get Medical Help
Contact a healthcare provider right away if you experience any symptoms of aortic valve regurgitation.
Sometimes, the first signs of this condition are actually symptoms of heart failure, which happens when the heart can’t pump blood effectively. You should make a doctor’s appointment if you have:
- Ongoing tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest
- Difficulty breathing
- Swollen ankles and feet
These common heart failure symptoms might indicate aortic valve regurgitation that needs medical attention.
Causes
Aortic valve regurgitation happens when the aortic valve doesn’t close properly. This valve sits between the left ventricle (the heart’s main pumping chamber) and the aorta (the body’s main artery).
When working correctly, the valve opens and closes once during each heartbeat.
Several conditions can damage the aortic valve and cause regurgitation:
Congenital Heart Valve Issues
- People born with a bicuspid valve (two cusps instead of three)
- Those with connected cusps rather than separate ones
- Rare cases of unicuspid (one cusp) or quadricuspid (four cusps) valves
Having family members with bicuspid valves increases your risk, though many people develop this condition without a family history.
Age-Related Valve Changes
- Calcium deposits build up on the valve over time
- These deposits make the valve stiff and narrow (aortic stenosis)
- The stiffened valve may fail to close properly
Infections and Inflammatory Conditions
- Endocarditis (inflammation of the heart’s inner lining)
- Usually results from a bacterial infection
- Can severely damage the aortic valve
Rheumatic Fever Complications
- Once common in children in the United States
- Typically follows untreated strep throat
- Makes the valve stiff and creates leakage
- Results in rheumatic heart disease
Connective Tissue and Immune Disorders
- Marfan syndrome can enlarge the aorta and affect valve function
- Immune conditions like lupus sometimes lead to valve problems
Traumatic Injuries
- Direct chest trauma may damage the aorta and aortic valve
- Aortic dissection (a tear in the inner layer of the aorta) can cause valve regurgitation
When the valve leaks, blood flows backward into the left ventricle. This chamber then holds more blood than normal, causing it to enlarge and thicken. At first, this larger chamber helps maintain blood flow with more force.
However, the heart eventually weakens if the condition persists without treatment.
Risk Factors
Several factors may increase the chance of developing aortic valve regurgitation:
- Age: The risk increases as people get older.
- Congenital Heart Defects: Heart problems present at birth.
- Heart Infections: Previous history of infections affecting the heart.
- Genetic Conditions: Inherited disorders like Marfan syndrome.
- Other Valve Diseases: Particularly aortic valve stenosis.
- High Blood Pressure: Long-term hypertension damages the aortic valve.
Some people develop aortic valve regurgitation without any known risk factors.
Possible Problems
Aortic valve regurgitation can lead to several health issues:
- Dizziness or fainting spells
- Heart failure when the heart can’t pump enough blood
- Infections of the heart that damage the valves
- Irregular heartbeats or rhythm disturbances
- In severe cases, it may be life-threatening
These complications usually develop gradually as the condition worsens over time.
How to Prevent Aortic Valve Problems
Regular health checkups are essential if you have any heart disease. If your family has a history of bicuspid aortic valve, getting an echocardiogram is important.
This imaging test can detect aortic valve regurgitation early. This is when treatment may be simpler.
Take these steps to lower your risk of conditions that can lead to aortic valve regurgitation:
Get Medical Attention for Severe Sore Throats: Untreated strep throat can develop into rheumatic fever, which damages heart valves. Doctors treat strep throat with antibiotics.
Monitor Your Blood Pressure: Starting at age 18, have your blood pressure checked at least every two years. Some people need more frequent monitoring based on their health history.
Follow Your Doctor’s Advice: If you already have heart valve issues, follow all treatment recommendations to prevent worsening.
Maintain Heart-Healthy Habits: Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking to support overall heart health.
