Aortic valve disease is a type of heart valve disease. In aortic valve disease, the valve between the lower left heart chamber left ventricle and the main artery to the body aorta doesn't work properly. The aortic valve helps keep blood flowing in the correct direction through the heart. A damaged or diseased aortic valve can affect blood flow to the rest of the heart and body. Aortic valve disease may be present at birth congenital heart disease , or it may occur later in life due to other health conditions.
Treatment for aortic valve disease depends on the type and severity of disease. Some people may need surgery to repair or replace the aortic valve. Some people with aortic valve disease may not notice symptoms for many years. Signs and symptoms of aortic valve disease may include:.
Make an appointment with a health care provider if you have signs or symptoms of valve disease, such as shortness of breath, fatigue after activity, or sensations of a pounding or an irregular heartbeat. Sometimes the first signs of aortic valve disease are related to heart failure. See a health care provider if you have fatigue that doesn't get better with rest, shortness of breath, and swollen ankles and feet, which are common symptoms of heart failure.
A typical heart has two upper and two lower chambers. The upper chambers — the right and left atria — receive incoming blood. The lower chambers — the right and left ventricles — pump blood out of your heart. The heart valves, which keep blood flowing in the right direction, are gates at the chamber openings for the tricuspid and mitral valves and exits for the pulmonary and aortic valves. Aortic valve disease may be caused by a heart defect present at birth congenital heart defect.
Other causes of aortic valve disease later in life include:. The mitral and tricuspid valves are located at the bottom of these chambers. As blood builds up in the atria, both valves open allowing the blood to flow into the ventricles the heart's two lower chambers. As the ventricles begin to contract, the mitral and tricuspid valves shut to ensure no blood flows back into the atria. Then, with the ventricles narrowed, blood is pumped through the pulmonary and aortic valves.
The pulmonary valve opens to allow blood flow from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery, which carries blood to the lungs to get oxygen. At the same time, the aortic valve opens to let blood flow from the left ventricle into the aorta, which carries oxygen-rich blood to the body. As the ventricles relax, the pulmonary and aortic valves close to prevent blood from flowing back into the ventricles. Regurgitation, or backflow, occurs when the valve does not close tightly.
This may lead to congestive heart failure. Mitral regurgitation may begin suddenly. This often occurs after a heart attack. When the regurgitation does not go away, it becomes long-term chronic. Many other diseases or problems can weaken or damage the valve or the heart tissue around the valve.
You are at risk for mitral valve regurgitation if you have:. Another important risk factor for mitral regurgitation is past use of a diet pill called "Fen-Phen" fenfluramine and phentermine or dexfenfluramine. The drug was removed from the market by the U. Treatment will depend on what symptoms you have, what condition caused the mitral valve regurgitation, how well the heart is working, and if the heart has become enlarged. People with high blood pressure or a weakened heart muscle may be given medicines to reduce the strain on the heart and ease symptoms.
Once the diagnosis is made, you should visit your provider regularly to track your symptoms and heart function. The outcome varies. Most of the time the condition is mild, so no therapy or restriction is needed. Symptoms can most often be controlled with medicine. Also call your provider if you are being treated for this condition and develop signs of infection, which include:.
When a valve closes, flaps of tissue on the valve close tightly to create a seal. These tissue flaps are called leaflets. When working properly, the heart valves open and close fully so that blood keeps moving in one direction at all times.
Just like all physical things in life — your computer, your car, your DVD player — problems can occur with your heart valves. Sometimes, a person can be born with an abnormal heart valve, also known as a congenital heart defect. A common form of congenital heart valve defect is a bicuspid aortic valve.
Other people may experience valve damage due to infections, rheumatic fever, calcification and changes in valve structure as we age. Most problems associated with valve damage are associated with the opening and closing of the valve.
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