Aortic stenosis is also known as aortic valve stenosis. The aorta is the main outflow of the left side of the heart, or left ventricle. Aortic stenosis describes a condition where there is narrowing or obstruction of the heart's aortic valve, which prevents it from opening properly and blocks the flow of blood from the left ventricle to the aorta.
Aortic stenosis occurs in approximately 5 out of every 10,000 people. Symptoms often do not appear until middle age or older. It is more common among men.
Causes of Aortic Stenosis
There are many causes of aortic stenosis. One common cause is rheumatic fever, a complication of untreated strep throat. Other causes include calcification of the aortic valve and congenital abnormalities. In addition, people that have aortic stenosis will frequently have a history of other valve diseases, coronary artery disease, or heart murmur.
Signs and Symptoms of Aortic Stenosis
Symptoms of aortic stenosis are related to impairment of blood flow and over exertion of the heart. They include fainting or weakness with activity. Dizziness may occur. Similary, there is frequently shortness of breath or breathlessness with activity.
Irregular heart beats, the sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations) may occuyr. chest pain, angina, or pressure under the breastbone, or sternum, may occur. The pain may radiate into the neck, arm or abdomen.
The pain may be described as a crushing, squeezing, pressure or tightness. It may be increased with exercise and relieved with rest
Aortic stenosis may show no symptoms until late in the course of the disease.
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Medical Content Last Updated on 07/12/2008
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