Aortic valve disease

The aortic valve is the final door the blood passes through before leaving the heart to feed the body.

What is Aortic Valve Disease?
The aortic valve sits between the heart's main pumping chamber (left ventricle) and the main artery (aorta). If this valve doesn't open or close correctly, the heart must work harder to push blood out.

The Consequence: Over time, this extra work weakens the heart muscle, leading to heart failure.

The Two Main Problems

Valve disease generally falls into two categories. Some patients have both.

Type	The Mechanical Issue	The Result
Aortic Stenosis	The valve becomes stiff, calcified, and narrow. It cannot open fully.	The heart must squeeze forcefully to push blood through a tiny opening.
Aortic Regurgitation	The valve leaflets are loose or floppy. They do not close tightly.	Blood leaks backward into the heart after every beat.

[Image of aortic stenosis vs normal valve]

Symptoms

In the early stages, there may be no symptoms. As the disease progresses, the heart struggles to keep up with demand.

• Murmur: An abnormal whooshing sound heard by a doctor during a checkup.
• Chest Pain (Angina): Tightness or pressure, especially during exercise.
• Shortness of Breath: Feeling winded easily or when lying flat.
• Fainting (Syncope): Feeling dizzy or passing out during activity.
• Fatigue: Extreme tiredness.

⚠️ THE "WAIT AND SEE" TRAP
If you have severe aortic stenosis and start experiencing symptoms (chest pain, fainting, or breathlessness), the survival rate drops significantly without surgery. Do not ignore symptoms.

Causes & Risk Factors

• Calcification (Aging): Calcium deposits build up on the valve over decades, stiffening it. This is the most common cause in seniors.
• Bicuspid Aortic Valve: A birth defect where the valve has only two flaps (leaflets) instead of three. This wears out the valve faster.
• Rheumatic Fever: An untreated strep throat infection in childhood can scar the heart valves.
• Endocarditis: An infection of the heart lining.

Diagnosis

The gold standard for diagnosis is the Echocardiogram (Heart Ultrasound).

• It visualizes the valve movement.
• It measures the pressure across the valve.
• It checks the size of the heart chambers.

Treatment Options

Valve damage cannot be reversed with medication, but surgery can fix the problem effectively.

1. Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR)

Traditional open-heart surgery. The surgeon removes the damaged valve and replaces it with a new one.

• Mechanical Valve: Made of metal/carbon. Lasts a lifetime but requires blood thinners.
• Biological Valve: Made of cow or pig tissue. No blood thinners needed, but wears out in 10-15 years.

2. TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement)

A newer, minimally invasive procedure. A collapsed replacement valve is threaded through a catheter in the leg artery up to the heart. It expands inside the old valve, pushing it out of the way.

TAVR offers a faster recovery time than open surgery and is now available for many patients, not just high-risk ones.

🦷 SURPRISING TIP: DENTAL HEALTH
Bacteria from gum disease can enter the bloodstream and infect damaged heart valves (Endocarditis).

Action: Brush and floss daily, and tell your dentist about your heart condition before any major dental work.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician regarding any medical condition.