Regurgitation is the term given to a condition wherein the heart’s aortic valve do not have the ability close properly as it should. And because of that, blood leaks backwards through the valve instead. The left ventricle of the heart and the aorta houses the aortic valve. The valve is found nestled between them. When aortic regurgitation develops, the heart’s left ventricle tendency is to pump blood more than it used to. And so the heart’s left ventricle is expected get bigger over time because of this added workload.

The cases of aortic regurgitation may be mild or severe, depending upon the underlying conditions of the heart. The mild cases of aortic regurgitation may show no symptoms at all, and it could remain that way for several years too. But when the condition becomes worse, the corresponding symptoms associated to the disease will inevitably appear.

The symptoms of aortic regurgitation could be any one or possibly all of the following:

1. Fatigue. A person with aortic regurgitation will easily get tired even after doing his usual everyday activities. And during the times where he does increased body activities, fatigue would set in all the more.
2. Shortness of breath. This symptom is also related to fatigue. Anybody who has aortic regurgitation will suddenly feel that his breath is short even after a few regular movements.
3. Edema. Edema is characterized by fluid retention in certain body parts. Edema can show anywhere but in a person with aortic regurgitation, it is most observed in foot, more particularly the ankles.
4. Abnormal heartbeat. Aortic regurgitation could bring about heart arrhythmias, or more commonly referred to as abnormal heartbeat. The heart is observed to beat alternately fast and slow in a very erratic manner.
5. Angina Pectoris. Angina pectoris is simply the pain and discomfort one feel in the chest area. Chest pains can be caused by a lot of factors. But in this case, the condition is due to the lowered blood supply of the heart’s muscles.

Aortic regurgitation can be congenital. Congenital means that the condition exists even during birth. The heart valve of a newborn baby may possibly exhibit deformity as the rest of his body is starting to form inside his mother’s womb.

Aortic regurgitation can be caused by heart infections as well. Examples of these heart infections are infective endocarditis and rheumatic fever. Other diseases can also give rise to aortic regurgitation. Some of the known ones are Marfan syndrome and the very common high blood pressure.

If aortic regurgitation is diagnosed on a patient, it is a must that he goes and sees his physician on a regular basis, even if it is just a mild case that shows no symptom at all. Aortic regurgitation can be dangerous and so proper medication should be administered at once.

Aortic regurgitation would only worsen if it were not given proper medical attention. A number of drugs are produced especially for this condition. These drugs are known to normalize the rhythm of the patient’s heart, as well as to control its symptoms such as edema. The drugs are also made to regulate the pumping of the heart’s left ventricle.

But if these drugs and the rest of the outward medications fail, intrusive surgery could be the next best option. The surgical operation will entail the replacement of the malfunctioning valve with something artificial.

It is also observed that those inflicted with aortic regurgitation have higher risks of developing a certain infection on the aortic valve itself. This condition is referred to as endocarditis. And so before people with aortic regurgitation undergo any surgical or even dental procedures, antibiotics have to be taken. It is also a must that they consult only with a specialist. Their attending physician or surgeon should also know of their present condition.

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