Aortic Stenosis: What You Need to Know

Doctor William C Lloyd Healthgrades Medical Reviewer
Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Written By Sarah Lewis, PharmD on May 2, 2021
  • senior-couple-embracing
    Narrowing of the Aortic Valve
    Aortic stenosis, also known as a heart valve failure, is a type of heart valve disease. The aortic valve opens to allow blood to flow forward to the body and closes tightly so blood does not leak backwards into the heart. Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve opening. It prevents blood from flowing easily and makes the heart work harder. Read on to learn what you need to know about aortic stenosis.
  • Group of seniors
    1. It’s a common heart valve disease.
    Aortic stenosis is the most common heart valve disease in the United States. The main forms of it are congenital (from a birth defect) and age-related (degenerative) aortic stenosis. About 25% of people older than 65 have some form of mild aortic valve disease. Some will progress to severe aortic stenosis. In fact, age-related aortic stenosis is the most common reason for aortic valve surgery.
  • Old man at a routine medical checkup
    2. Aortic valves can wear down with age.
    Degenerative aortic stenosis results from a valve that wears out with age. The process is similar to atherosclerosis. The body deposits calcium and fats on the valve. This causes the valve to become stiff and thick, which restricts how the valve opens. As the disease progresses, the heart must pump harder to move blood through the narrowed opening.
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  • doctor-listening-to-patient-heartbeat-with-stethoscope
    3. Doctors use an echocardiogram to diagnose it.
    Problems with the aortic valve can show up as a heart murmur on a physical exam. A heart murmur is an unusual sound during a heartbeat that you can hear with a stethoscope. Symptoms can also suggest a problem with the aortic valve. Symptoms of aortic stenosis include shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and fainting. If your doctor suspects aortic stenosis, you may need other tests including an EKG (electrocardiogram) and an echocardiogram.
  • grandparents-at-farmers-market-with-grandson
    4. A heart-healthy lifestyle helps prevent complications.
    The risk factors for aortic stenosis are very similar to atherosclerosis (smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes). For most individuals, however, aortic stenosis can’t always be prevented. But there are things you can do to prevent complications from the disease. Start with a heart-healthy lifestyle. Make sure you treat related diseases, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes. Get regular medical and dental care. Ask your doctor if you need premedication with antibiotics before dental procedures.
  • Medicines in hand
    5. Medications help treat the symptoms, not the disease.
    Medicines can’t reverse, stop or cure aortic stenosis, but they can be useful in some cases. They can help treat symptoms of valve disease and protect the heart from failing, so doctors may recommend medicines for mild disease or for people who can’t have surgery. But aortic stenosis tends to progress. Eventually, medicines may no longer protect the heart and symptoms may get worse.
  • aortic-valve-replacement-surgery
    6. Valve replacement is the main treatment.
    Repairing or replacing the valve is the only way to cure aortic stenosis. In most cases, treatment involves replacing the aortic valve. There are a few options, including open-heart surgery and minimally invasive procedures, such as TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement). Each has advantages and disadvantages. The recovery time for TAVR is much shorter than for open-heart surgery, and since TAVR is now approved to treat people with a low to high risk of complications from open-heart surgery, more individuals are benefitting from the procedure.
  • portrait-of-confident-doctor-in-hospital
    7. Don’t delay too long in seeking treatment.
    Aortic stenosis is usually progressive. For some people, it never becomes severe or requires surgery. But in most cases, symptoms eventually develop. Once symptoms are severe, the survival rate is about 50% after two years without valve replacement. At five years, it drops to 20%. Successful treatment extends life and allows people to return to a healthy life. So don’t ignore your doctor’s advice. Seek reassurance from a second opinion if you have doubts.
  • Heart image
    8. Aortic valve surgery is successful for most people.
    Most people do very well after TAVR or open-heart surgery for aortic stenosis. Anticoagulation with a blood thinner may be necessary after these procedures. Depending on the type of valve replacement, this may be temporary or lifelong. The likelihood of needing another replacement in the future will also depend on the type of valve. These are important things to discuss with your doctor before your procedure.
Aortic Stenosis: What You Need to Know
  1. Aortic Stenosis—Adult. New York University Langone Medical Center. http://www.med.nyu.edu/content?ChunkIID=12042
  2. Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. https://www.sts.org/patient-information/valve-repair/replacement-surgery/aortic-valve
  3. Options and Considerations for Heart Valve Surgery. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/HeartValveProblemsandDisease/Options-and-Consideratio...
  4. Ramaraj R, Sorrell VL. Degenerative aortic stenosis. BMJ. 2008 Mar 8;336(7643):550-5.
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Last Review Date: 2021 May 2
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.