When the ventricle contracts, this valve opens and blood is forced through. When the ventricle relaxes this valve closes and more blood fills the ventricle ready for the next contraction.
What is Aortic Stenosis?
Aortic stenosis occurs when this valve becomes narrowed and cannot open fully. If this happens the valve cannot function effectively, and the blood being pushed through the valve becomes restricted.
This condition can develop into a serious illness, causing a large amount of discomfort and distress to the patient.
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If this type of valve disease is in its early stages, there may be no evident symptoms, but as it progresses, the person may feel tiredness, dizziness, palpitations and occasionally chest pain. As the valve becomes narrowed, the heart compensates by working harder to push the blood through. Symptoms arise as the body and tissues become depleted of oxygen. Chest pain may occur if the arteries that supply the blood and oxygen to the heart muscles (the coronary arteries), do not receive the amount of oxygen that they require.
If the condition is severe, it is possible that heart failure can occur and fluids can accumulate around the heart and lungs and in the tissues of the body.
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What Causes Aortic Stenosis?
Most specialists agree that the main cause of aortic stenosis is due to age. Over time, it is thought that the valve becomes thickened and stiff, possibly due to an accumulation of calcium residue causing the valve to become unable to close properly.
Other causes include rheumatic fever in childhood, because of congenital abnormalities or as a result of inflammatory conditions of the heart such as endocarditis.
Treatment Options
In some cases medication may be the best option, especially for those suffering from the symptoms of heart failure, and drugs such as diuretics (water tablets) and those that are designed to reduce the workload of the heart.
For many, surgery may be the best option and procedures that may be suggested include the use of balloons to help dilate the valve opening, allowing it open better, or to repair or replace the valve entirely. Often the damage can be reduced and the original valve saved, but occasionally the use of a prosthetic device may be required.
Aortic stenosis can be a very serious condition that will need treatments to either minimise the damage, prevent it from developing further or to ease symptoms. Many people may have a small degree of stenosis without suffering from any symptoms, so as soon as any symptoms are experienced advice from your GP is recommended as the disease may have existed for some time. Treatment options vary depending on the patient and the severity of the condition and surgical options increasingly show good results for the patients.
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