Aortic Stenosis, Its Symptoms and Cure

Aortic stenosis is the narrowing of the hearth’s aortic valve. The heart has four valves and four chambers. The blood circulates coming from the atria found in the heart’s upper chambers. Then it flows through the valves in the lower chambers.

Aortic stenosis happens when the narrowing of the valves become very significant that it impedes the blood flow from the heart’s left ventricle into the arteries. Studies had shown that this condition is a lot common in men than it is in women.

Aortic stenosis occurring in adults is caused by three conditions. First off, it can be congenital. The bicuspid valves could have undergone progressive damage since birth. Secondly, the natural aging process may accelerate the heart’s ongoing wear and tear. This is especially true in elderly people. And lastly, the scarring of the heart’s aortic valve may cause aortic stenosis. This can happen to both young and old people alike.

People suffering from aortic stenosis may complain of multiple instances of chest pain and shortness of breath. There may also be instances that they would faint for no apparent reason at all. In the most advanced cases of aortic stenosis, death is a possibility. And it happens after extraneous effort exertion, such an episode of rigorous exercise.

To diagnose aortic stenosis, doctors use EKG or electrocardiogram. This procedure effectively records the heart’s activities. Doctors then would know what the exact condition of the heart is and where the real problem lies. Aside from EKG, chest x-ray is also used. It captures a picture of the heart’s shadow. That picture will show the dilation of the heart. It may also show the parts where tissues might be damaged. Ultrasound is also performed. This is procedure is called echocardiography and it is used to obtain useful images of the chambers of the heart, the valves, and all other organs and structures that surrounds it.

Aortic stenosis has to be observed before treatment is carried out. Mild cases of aortic stenosis do not require treatment just yet. Instead, the condition is monitored and its symptoms are evaluated further. If aortic stenosis is on a moderate case, strenuous activities are decided against. These include weight lifting and sprinting. It is also a must that people with moderate aortic stenosis be examined and evaluated annually by a cardiologist.

For the most severe cases, cardiac catheterization is done. That, along with appropriate medical therapy and using diuretics is prescribed. If all else fails, then a surgery encompassing the total replacement of the aortic valves put in place. Extremely durable mechanical prosthetic valves replace the natural ones and they are expected to last anywhere between 20 and 40 years.

Aortic stenosis may develop a round of complications if left untreated. For one, it can cause the left ventricle of the heart to be enlarged. This is because the left ventricle has an overload of work as it pushes the blood through a narrowed valve.

For any observed possible symptom of aortic stenosis, it is a must that a health care provider is consulted. If not, the case will progress and a new set of symptoms might develop. And all the symptoms already present would get worse over time.

To prevent aortic stenosis, all underlying causes like rheumatic fever and other heart conditions have to be attended to first. But in essence, aortic stenosis is really hard to prevent. In fact, it may not be preventable at all. On the lighter side though, its complications can be regulated.

People who are diagnosed with this disease have to notify their respective health care providers, including their dentists of the history of their heart condition. All dental procedures may introduce bacteria into one’s bloodstream. And that could be fatal to people with heart problems like aortic stenosis.