Aortic Stenosis

What is aortic stenosis?

Aortic stenosis means your aortic valve is narrow and can’t fully open, reducing blood flow from your heart to your aortic artery. Your aortic artery supplies oxygen-rich blood to your entire body. 

When your aortic valve can’t fully open, your heart must pump harder to circulate blood throughout your body. Over time, the strain on your heart causes the muscle to thicken and weaken, increasing your risk of congestive heart failure. 

Aortic stenosis may be congenital, or it may develop from a complication related to a strep infection. 

What are the symptoms of aortic stenosis?

Symptoms of aortic stenosis vary and depend on the severity of the narrowing and how long you’ve had the disease. Common symptoms include:

• Heart murmur
• Chest pain during exercise
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Heart palpitations
• Fatigue

Not everyone with aortic stenosis has symptoms, and the valvular disease may be found incidentally during a physical exam. 

How is aortic stenosis diagnosed?

The team at Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona performs a comprehensive evaluation to diagnose aortic stenosis. They review your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam.

To confirm or rule out a diagnosis, they also run various tests, such as:

• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Stress test
• Nuclear stress testing
• Holter monitoring
• Echocardiogram

Testing also determines the severity of your aortic stenosis, which helps direct treatment.

How is aortic stenosis treated?

At Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona, the team creates custom treatment plans for aortic stenosis based on the severity of the condition and the health of your heart. 

For patients with mild symptoms, the team may recommend lifestyle changes to improve or maintain heart health, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and smoking cessation.

However, if your aortic stenosis is severe, the team may recommend surgical intervention to repair or replace your aortic valve. 

What is TAVR?

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive surgical technique for replacing your diseased aortic valve. During the procedure, your cardiologist inserts a catheter into a blood vessel in your leg and advances it until it reaches your aortic valve.

Your cardiologist uses the catheter to place and position your replacement valve.

For expert care of your aortic stenosis from a skilled team of cardiologists, call Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona or book an appointment online today.