Aortic valve stenosis
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Aortic valve stenosis
Aortic valve stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve between the lower left chamber of the heart and the aorta, which supplies blood to the body. A narrowed aortic valve forces the lower left chamber of the heart to pump harder to get enough blood through the valve.
Aortic valve stenosis can be caused by a structural problem called bicuspid aortic valve, which develops before a baby is born (congenital heart defect). In these cases, the valve has only two flaps, or leaflets, instead of the normal three.
Aortic valve stenosis also occurs as a person ages and the valve becomes hard and thick from calcium buildup. Most cases of aortic valve stenosis caused by calcium buildup occur in people who are older than 65.
Credits
| Author | Robin Parks, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | George Philippides, MD - Cardiology |
| Last Updated | November 14, 2007 |
| Last updated: | November 14, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS |
| Reviewed By: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, George Philippides, MD - Cardiology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC |
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